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THE 



TOUR OF THE DOVE, 



A POEM, 



Rirhardsoii and Ifandtbrd, I'rintei<;, 
Markct-Place, Derlw. 



THE 

TOUR OF THE DOVE, 

A rOEM; 
WITH OCCASIONAL PIECES: 



/BY 



JOHN EDWAEDS. 



" Who comes not hither, ne'er shall know 
How beautiful the world below ; 
Nor can he guess how lightly leaps 
'l*he brook adown the rocky steeps." 

; ' ' ' ^ vv'o.ids\/oi';h. 



LONDON: 

LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWNo 
1821. 



f^ 



^ 



^^'\ 



v'/i'\^ 






TO 

JESSE WATTS RUSSELL, ESQ. M. P. 
THE FOLLOWING POEM, 

WHICH, IN TRACING THE BANKS OF THE RIVER DOVE, 
INCLUDES 

THE BEAUTIFUL AND ROMANTIC SCENERY 

IN THE VICINITY 

AND OARDENS OF ILAM HALL, 

IS, 

WITH PERMISSION, 

MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT, 

THE AUTHOB. 



PREFACE. 



On presenting this volume to the public, it is 
due to the high patronage conferred upon the 
author, that he should offer a few remarks, ex- 
planatory of the inducements which led him to 
the composition of the Tour of the Dove. 

Having had various opportunities of visiting 
most of the places in the Peak of Derbyshire, 
celebrated for their beautiful or romantic scenery; 
it has seemed to him a matter of regret, that there 
should exist no good local poetry, claiming for 



viii PREFACE. 

its birth-place some of these highly interesting 
vallies. If the author may be permitted to take 
his individual experience as a standard by which 
to estimate the feelings of other tourists, an 
impulse of pleasurable sensations is excited by 
the extraordinary exhibitions of material nature, 
that calls for a correspondent exertion of the 
loftier faculties of mind. When contemplating the 
sublime or the beautiful in the scenery around 
VLSj we feel ourselves translated from the world 
of common life ; the elysium in which we are 
then placed, appears to us an imaginative region, 
the pecuhar province of poetry ; and the soul 
yearns for some breathings of " immortal verse/' 
that she can identify with the objects before her. 
That this desideratum is supplied by the present 
work, it were too much to presume ; but the 
favourable reception of the author's former poem, 
on All Saints' Church, Derby, has encouraged him 



PREFACE. ix 

to venture on the subject, hoping at least, to draw 
the attention of other more highly gifted minds 
to pursue it effectually. The lakes and mountains 
of the north have already been consecrated by some 
of the choicest strains of the muse, and surely the 
rivers of the Peak cannot prove an ungrateful 
theme. 

On the merits of the present poetical tour, it 
is not for the author to decide; but it may be 
proper to account to the reader, for the method 
in which it has been conducted. It was originally 
intended, that, under the title of the Peak Rivers, 
it should describe the whole of the romantic sce- 
nery ; tracing the Dove upwards, to its source, 
then descending with the Wye till it enters the 
Derwent, and after taking a retrospect of that 
river, proceeding with it to its junction with the 
Trent. This design, it was soon found, would 



% PREFACE. 

embrace a wider field of objects than could he 
prudently admitted in a poem, the attractions of 
which, must rest chiefly upon description ; and it 
has therefore been limited to its present extent. 
The original plan, of tracing the Dove upwards, is 
preserved ; as the interest is thus better supported 
than it could be by following the contrary and 
apparently more natural direction. 

Respecting the minor pieces, the writer has 
only to observe, that with regard to the admission 
of those placed in the appendix, he begs to take 
shelter under the authority of Warton, whose 
Oxford verses are attached to the body of his 
poetry. He now commits himself to the candour 
of the public, returning his sincere and grateful 
acknowledgments to the Nobility, Gentry, Clergy, 
and Others who have honored him with their 
patronage. 



TUB 



TOUR OF THE DOVE, 

A POEM. 



SPRING Ur, WELL ; SING YE UNTO IT. 

Numbers xxi 



THE 



TOUR OF THE DOVE, 



A POEM. 



T. 

JL HOU eldest of the elements that sprang 
From imderneath the Spirit's brooding' wings. 
When chaos heard that potent voice which rang. 
Commanding life and being to all things,— 
Hail, WATER ! — beautiful thy gushing springs. 
Thy lakes and rivers ; — shrined in clouds or dew ; 
In ice or snow ; or where the rainbow flings 
Its radiant arch ; — in every form and hue. 
Thou, glorious element, art ever fair and new ! 



4 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

II. 

Ever fresh springing in the wells and fountains. 

The virgin waters rise and overflow ; 

The cloud-nursed torrents hasting down the mountain?. 

Replenish still the fleeting streams below : 

The Thames, the Rhine, the Tyber, and the Po, 
Are ever by fresh rivulets supplied ; 
And mighty ocean, heaving to and fro, 
Rock'd by the undulation's of the tide, 
Is with pei^petual renovation purified. 

III. 
Charm'd by the music of the rolling deep. 
The Muse, that pours her own sweet song to heaven. 
Might hngering stay beside the rocky steep 
Till the day fled, and came the star of even : 
But she a boon has to her votary given ; — 
With him to view the Dovedale of the Peak ; 
And trace its River, in meanders driven 
Through the deep-channeird hills its way to seek ;— 
To tread the glens and caves, and climb the mountains bleak. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. I 

IV. 

Lo, now she beckons from the battlement 
Of yon mock pile, misnamed of Waterloo :— • 
She saw the nuptials of the Dove and Trent, 
But long before that mushroom fabric grew : 
Each came with pomp of flowing retinue ; 
Each, slow to meet, came on with winding wing ; 
And this the language of their interview ; 
*' Comest thou alone, proud Dove, or dost thou bring 
Some tributary river from another spring ?" 

V. 

'^ Imperious Trent ! thy better mood disowns, 
(Replied the fairer stream) this greeting harsh ; 
But know that I am sprung from mountain thrones. 
Beyond far Longnor's hills of pine and larch ; 
Dovedale's rock-spires, and caves, and rock-built arch, 
Ashboum's blue smoke, Uttoxeter's bright gleam, 
And Burton's joyous bells announce my march. 
These honors were sufficient dower, I deem. 
Came I alone — ^but wilder waters swell my stream." 

B 



6 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

VI. 
Two rivers weary of the sun, that sheds 
No beanty on their banks with shale embrown* d. 
Have dared to pkmge and leave their stony beds 
Empty, with naked track to wander round 
The dreary moors. — What ear can reach the sound. 
From ledge to ledge as the bold torrents leap 
Through echoing caverns lock'd in gloom profound !— 
Hamps roars to Manifold, deep answers deep. 
As with converging tides the darkling rivers sweep. 

VII. 

I know thy meadows, Trent, are rich and green ; 
Thy swelling slopes are gay with lawn and wood ; 
But couldst thou visit Ham's sylvan scene. 
Where grotto, cliff, and groves of various bud, 
O'erhang each rising river's fountain flood,— 
As cool and crystal-clear it springs to air. 
And deeply drinks the light as 'twere life-blood ;— 
It might have seem'd that some enchantment rare 
Had scoop'd that mountain nook, and pour'd those rivers fail 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE 7 

VIII. 
With them, by Alton Abbey's castle-den, 
The Churnet hither trails her willow locks : 
'Twould seem those iron times had reach'd this glen, 
When giants play'd at hewing mountain blocks,— 
So bold and strange the profile of the rocks. 
Whose huge fantastic figures frown above.— 
But I refrain — ^for Trent no longer mocks 
With cold repidse, but courts with ardent love 
The bright espousals of his own sweet murmuring Dove ! 

IX. 

Roll on, bright Pair, in galaxy of light. 
Through the green meadows tow'rd your ocean home : 
My fancy kindles at the flashing sight 
Of your soft-moving waters, as they come, 
Reflecting in their depths the clouded dome 
Of that blue heaven to which they seem allied; — 
And oh, ye rivers ! from what sacred womb 
Of clouds or mountains sprang your fountain tide. 
That flows with music light and beauty vivified } 



8 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

X. 

Wast thou, fair Dove, a stream when Paradise 
With rivers watered its deUghtful flowers ; 
Before the Peak beheld yon summits rise. 
And Dovedale's portal arch high-roof 'd with towers ? 
Or when the drowning Deluge pour'd its showers 
Wast thou produc'd ? Or later dates thy birth— 
Engender'd where the cavern'd Geyser lours ; 
And flung in steam condensed through fissures forth. 
The child of fire, upsent to warm and water earth ? 

XI. 
Dark as the hidden fountains of the Nile, 
Or Niger lost amid the burning sand ; 
Gone and forgotten is the time erewhile 
Thy robe of beauty trail'd along the land ;— 
Thy robe embroider'd rich by Nature's hand. 
With pictured rocks that o'er the margin bend ; 
With cluster'd shrubs and trees, whose boughs expand 
Their light and dark green foliage, 'till they blend 
In graceful curves, wild-sweeping as the winds ascend. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 9 

XII. 

O river of the mountain and the mead ! 
Whose path has deepen'd like that fountain-train 
Where stepp'd the angel with his measuring reed ;* 
With joy I meet thee on this open plain : 
Thou bearest onward to the distant main. 
In whose vast home of waters ends thy course ; 
My path pursues thy channel in its wane. 
Where flows the current with decreasing force ; 
'Till passing many a vale I reach its trickling source. 

XIII. 
Not thy famed wealth, that tempts the fisherman. 
With line, and rod, and wallet, fitted out. 
To seek thy banks, has me allured ; I can 
With higher motive trace thy varied route. 
If chance I see the crimson- spotted trout 
On light fin darting up the lucid stream. 
It ministers to thoughts not undevout ; 
And better its shy beauties grace my theme. 
Than gold or silver fish that love the tropic beam. 

• See Ezekiel, chapter 47. 



10 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XIV. 

But mark the grand effect of human strength ! 
In vain the river spreads afar her wings ; 
Yon culvert chain extends at greater length. 
Girding the waters with its massive rings, 
By arches form'd, where each its shadow flings 
Upon the stream. Lift, Egginton, thy head ! 
Upborne across the plains Man hither brings 
Another flood ; — with mast and canvas spread. 
Triumphant sailing o'er thy river's humbled bed. 

XV. 

The pride of Burton, that stupendous bridge 
Whose crowded arches span the floods of Trent, 
I pass not now ; but tow'rd the northern ridge 
Of Needwood with the Dove my steps are bent : 
I tread the classic ground where Mundy spent 
His youthful hours ; when emulous he strove 
With Darwin and the Gisbornes, each intent 
To sing the charms of nature, as they rove 
On Weaver hills, or woodland water'd by the Dove. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 1 1 

XVI. 

Here noble Vernon oft led forth his hounds, 
A pack that ever proved their good descent : 
His sire had train'd them on these forest grounds ; 
And braving oft the wintry element. 
Beyond the precincts of the chase he went— 
As once to Shirley Park, what time he vied. 
With hounds on cry, and horn deep- winded, bent 
Foremost of all the gallant train to ride. 
Yet curbing gracefully his fiery courser's pride. 

xvn. 

The hills rebounded as the hunters past ; 
Echoed the champaign, every bank and bush 
Remurmuring back the music and the blast. 
And shouts of horse and foot-men, as they rush 
Through Dove whose stream recoils with troubled gush. 
Morn had dispell'd the fogs, when from his cell 
Reynard was rous'd ; and ere they seiz'd his brush, 
(That trophy of the chase) the evening bell 
Of distant Ashbourn sounded into Wooton Dell. 



12 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XVIII. 

The ballad of this fox-chase has been sung 
With strength of lungs that roar'd it out with glee ; 
And when the chorus round gave mouthy it rung 
As though the hounds had join'd in company. 
But this obstreperous mirth ill suited me : 
The wise man tells us laughter has its time ;* 
Yet deeper on my spirit strikes the key. 
When beauty^ pathos, power, and gifts sublime 
Of high imagination " build the lofty rhyme." 

XIX. 

And I can find enjoyment in this task 
Of humbler measures ; with a pure delight. 
When nature beckons in her sylvan mask, 
I trace her footsteps, whether she's bedight 
With blossoms, or with berries glossy bright. 
I climb the sandy cliff of Marchington ; 
And thence to Hanbury's sublimer height. 
Far from the river banks I wander on : 
Before — behind — a glorious scene to gaze upon. 

» Eccles. chajjter 3, verse 4 ; but see also chapter 7, verses 3, 4, and 5. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 1 3 

XX. 

Lo, like the Hindu's sculptured idol-god. 
Firm on his cushion'd root old Swilcar stands; 
Casts his broad shadow o'er the la^\Ti's green sod. 
And frowns upon the larch-grove's upstart wands ; 
Here, lifts his foliage high with shaggy hands ; 
And there, still stretch'd to meet the thunder-cloud. 
One bare enormous arm aloft expands ; 
While, question'd by the summer tempest, loud 
His voice with deep and solemn roar gives answer proud. 

XXI. 

Oh Swilcar, while before thy pillar'd trunk 
I stood and gaz'd upon its amplitude ; 
It seem'd the generations risen and sunk 
Since from the acorn thou didst first protrude. 
Before me in distinct succession stood: 
They have departed. Thou dost still abide ;— 
A land-mark to the spirits of the good ; 
Showing, that mortal man may yet confide 
In those bright hopes to immortality allied. 



14 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XXII. 

For if, in vegetative life, its term 
So reaches, that a thousand years- may roll. 
Before the oak upspringing from its germ 
Again to earth return its crumbling bole ; 
Can we conceive of the diviner soul. 
That it shall ever, ever, cease to be ? 
And though the body seems to find its goal 
In the dark grave ; yet Faith is there, to see — 
The seed must die before it can produce the Tree. 

XXIII. 

Ah that some clump remain'd of mossy piles. 
Some vestige of that Temple of thejsvood. 
Which once resounded through its verdant aisles 
With Mundy's lyre. Then all was fair and good ; 
And Needwood Forest in its glory stood : 
Free ranged the deer, and every beast of chase ; 
There couch'd the pheasant o'er her nestling brood ; 
The song-birds caroU'd ; humm'd the insect race ; 
And sights and sounds of wildness tenanted the place. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 15 

XXIV. 

The hand is powerless now, the lyre unstrung. 
That charm'd the dingles with its finest tones ; 
That from the hollies where retired it hung. 
Was reach'd once more, to pour with tuneful moans. 
The Fall of Needwood with its stately cones ! 
Yes, Needwood Forest now is but a name ; 
And Mundy sleeps beneath the tomb's grey stones : 
Yet still, beyond his Bust, survives to fame. 
His VERSE, by genius halo'd with her purest flame. 

XXV. 

Time cannot hide, power cannot quench the lamp 
Of genius, kindled far above the sun ! 
The works of art are crush'd beneath the tramp 
Of rude barbarians, flush'd with victory won ; 
Age wastes the giant to a skeleton ; 
And man's immortal spirit has been di'iven 
To shrink in ideotcy, with woe undone ; — 
But genius through the night of years has striven ; 
And Homer's deathless song to this late age is given. 



16 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XXVI. 

The starry banners round night's azure cope 
Are conquer'd by the golden shafts of morn ; 
So the bright rays of mind, beyond the scope 
Of matter reaching, yet attain a bourn 
Impassable, that baffles as in scorn 
Their trembling gleam. But He who reigns above. 
Pitying our weakness was in weakness born. 
In darkness crucified ; that He might prove 
Strength, light, and wisdom, to the children of his love. 

XXVII. 
Where reason halts, and genius sinks in dearth. 
Faith ventures with the Bible in her hand : 
She hails the country of her second birth. 
And seeks companions to that promis'd land. 
Spread then the holy book ! the work is grand. 
Is God's, and waits not purblind man's complying : 
The vision John beheld on Patmos' strand 
Is now fulfiU'd ; from clime to clime is flying* 
The angel of the Everlasting Gospel, crying : 

• Revelations chapter 14, verses 6 and 7. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 17 

XXVIII. 
" Fear God, ye nations, kindreds, sons and daughters 
Of every tongue and people, worship Him ! 
He made the earth, the fountains of sweet waters ; 
He bound the restless ocean with a rim 
Of rocks and sands it cannot overswim. 
And stretched on high heaven's glorious canopy. 
Sing then, with cherubim and seraphim. 
In universal choir sing loftily. 
His mercies, judgments, glory, and eternity !" 

XXIX. 

But from her task imagination roves ; 
I am not here on Canaan's happy shore ; 
These banks are not the Jordan's but the Dove's, 
And yonder towers that gleam in distant hoar, 
Recal me to my chosen theme once more. 
Alas, the vanity of human powers. 
And earth-built structures ! Tutbury of yore 
Rear'd in magnificence those castle towers. 
And now they bear the mockery of the passing hours. 



1 8 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XXX. 

The palace-prison once of Scotia's queen ! — 
Ah, hapless Mary, hurried to the tomb 
By bloody hands, the tools of jealous spleen ! 
Henceforth, whoever treads the shadowy gloom 
Of yon proud ruins, will bewail thy doom 
And long captivity. — Thou wast a gem 
Of royalty, in beauty's roseate bloom : 
Thy nobles would have kiss'd thy garments' hem ;- 
Yet thou upon the block didst bow thy diadem ! 

XXXI. 

The pilgrim's motto, " Earth is not our home," 
On yonder walls is doubly written : Time 
In broken lines, and History from her tome. 
Have scribed it. Like the exile's* speech sublime 
Who sate on ruin'd Carthage, their deep chime 
Of meaning awes me.— Oh, within these walls. 
Roofless, defaced, and sulHed now with shme. 
Is there no ghost doth rise to tell the thralls 
Of her that sate enthroned in Edin's regal haUs ? 

• Marius, see I'lutarcU. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 19 

XXXII. 
Look down upon the Dove ! within her deeps 
Yon walls and towers inverted reappear : 
And imaged there a holy fabric sleeps. 
So tranquil in the liquid hemisphere. 
So perfectly at rest, you almost fear 
'Tis but illusion. No, — upon the slope 
Of yon bold eminence the church doth rear 
Its Saxon arches, rounded like the cope 
Of heaven's bright bow of promise, symbol dear to hope. 

XXXIII. 

What new attractions need the tourist ask 
To tempt his visits here ! May he not find 
The beautiful, the bold, the picturesque. 
And works of rare antiquity, combined 
With recollections sacred to the mind .''— 
The splendor of the feudal time is past. 
But much of interest yet remains behind ; 
The wretched hypocrite* has broke her fast. 
But this fair church, these towers, for ages yet may last. 

• Ann Moore, of receut notoriety. 



20 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XXXIV. 

Adieu ! long wave your ivy crests above 
The smoke of Tutbury upcurling blue ! 
Ye Forest Banks that overhang the Dove, 
Ye dingles and romantic dells, adieu ! 
Winding in folds of mist till lost from view. 
The stream up tow'rd an open country leads. 
Here heaven has pour'd its blessings like the dew : 
Deep rolls the corn, and richest verdure feeds 
White flocks of sheep, fair herds of kine, and dark-maned steeds . 

XXXV. 

Reflecting the sun's rays, the gilded ball 
On Sudbury's high dome, gleams o'er the grove 
Embosoming its hospitable hall. 
With brighter sheen than when at eve it strove 
To rival, in the placid depths of Dove, 
The perfect image pictured by the moon. 
The porter here admits me, by the' alcove. 
Where haply minstrel bards have sought a boon. 
Or Palmer resting, dofF'd his scrip and sandal shoon. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 21 

XXXVI. 

Before my mind what flitting fables cross ! 
And sure, if ever waves, or earth's green sod. 
Or floor of rock, or woodland bank of moss. 
By naiads' or by dryads' feet were trod. 
Here should I look to see the river god. 
And list his tritons blow their azure shells : 
For Dove that in the vallies long abode, 
Oppress'd with shadow, now rejoicing swells. 
And hither brings the waters of a thousand wells. 

XXXVII. 

At distance due from yonder weaving limes. 
With equal pomp a shining lake is spread ; 
And nature's rarities from distant climes. 
Their mingled odours on its bosom shed. 
The stately tulip tree here lifts his head ; 
With shadowy foliage the magnolia towers 
O'er the smooth lawn ; rich is the orange bed ; 
And fed by artificial heat and showers. 
The spicy plants of Ind are nourish'd in these bowers. 



22 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XXXVIII. 
On Trent's broad bosom float the snow-white swans. 
Like painted ships becahii'd in ocean bay : 
How beautifully arch'd their plumy vans. 
The jet and scarlet on their heads how gay ! 
But can the rapid Dove obtain their stay. 
While rivaird by the fairer bosom'd lake 
That skirts the lawn ? Or will that lake betray 
Its isle, the haunt of heron, coot, and crake. 
And household stork, that loves its sedge and sheltering brake? 

XXXIX. 

Ris'n to the surface, like the good man's alms 
Cast on the waters which again returns. 
The water lily spreads its leafy palms. 
And o'er them bears its gold and silver urns. 
From bulb nutritious that beneath sojourns. 
Its forky leaf the arrow-root extends ; 
With genial heat the water- soldier* burns. 
Alert to show himself; and here ascends 
The rusht that like a chandelier his flower suspend*. 

• IStratiotes aloides. f Butomos umbellatus. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 2eS 

XL. 

With tresses mantled like the weeping birch. 
Muffled with ivy like a hermitage, 
Tn yonder nook is screen'd a gothic church. 
Its venerable aspect might assuage 
The stormy passions, that too often wage 
Unhallow'd conflict in the human breast. 
Nature here seems in homage to the page 
Of Holy Writ to wear this sober vest. 
Listening to Words that speak of a diviner rest. 

XLL 
Here, Vernon, when to shun the sultry noon 
Thou seek' St this cool invigorating shade ; 
And oft at evening when th* pensive moon 
Suspends her crescent o'er the umbrageous glade. 
May thanks for past and present bliss pervade 
Thy inmost spirit. Heir of noble blood ! 
Of Thee and of thy Lineage be it said : 
" The ennobling virtues well they understood ; 
Theirs was the godlike exercise pf doing good I" 



24 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XLII. 
Quitting with fond regret, this solemn place, 
A sinuous path conducts me to the lawn 
Whence I behold the park. In uncurb'd space. 
With towering woods and vistas far withdrawn 
It spreads before me. But the mists of dawn 
Hot noon has quaff 'd : within the shadowy dome 
Of the broad pillar'd oak the panting fawn 
Beneath its green roof finds a pleasant home : — 
I hasten on, and track the river's crest of foam. 

XLIII. 

Unlike the plume upon the warrior's helm. 
That tosses mid the battle's hottest strife. 
This waves alone in nature's peaceful realm. 
Far from the din of drmn, and trump, and fife, 
The " pomp and circumstance" of martial life.— 
'Tis sweet to drink at the pure fountain-head ; 
To watch the streamlet in its snow-white coif 
Wild-leaping down its rocky mountain bed ; 
To mark the deepen'd flood in brightness garmented. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 25 

XLIV. 
Whoe'er has trod the slopes of Doveridge park. 
Where like a crescent winds the " horned flood;" 
Or with the morning and the early lark 
Has climb'd to Eaton's high o'er-hanging wood. 
And seen the landscape stretching many a rood, 
Silver'd with mists and streams,— if he could find 
In all this prospect of the fair and good 
Nothing attractive, let him stay behind ; 
The power of waters cannot melt his sullen mind. 

XLV. 

But oh, like Beauty's cestus is the stream ! 
Its glowing chain of waters with a spell 
Constrains me, and the fascinating theme 
My verse pursuing, shall delight to tell 
Of rills and torrents, and the sink and swell 
Of water-breaks and fountains, that anon 
Will greet me, in the lone romantic dell 
Piping, with clearer voice than Helicon, 
Such liquid melodies as echo dreameth on. 



20 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XLVI. 

The barren Churnet joins upon the plains 
Of Rocester. Here a loud-resounding mill 
In its capacious hold awhile detains 
The river, harder functions to fulfil 
Than wandering in the flowery fields at will. 
Fetter d like Sampson to the groaning wheels. 
The plunging waters roar, and toss, and spill 
With desperate strength, till all the fabric feels 
The multitudinous motion whirl its thousand reels. 

XLVII. 
Wliere art or wast thou, O time-honor'd Tree, 
That gavest thy name unto the fruitful Hundred 
Round which the Dove meanders fair and free ? — 
Thy branches, trunks and root, have long been sunder'd ; 
Gone is the multitude that stood and wonder'd 
At thy rich bloom or weight of golden fruit ; 
The chieftains too, that sat beneath and ponder'd. 
With equity deciding each dispute. — 
In worth one oak-leaf now excels thy bravest suite. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 27 

XLVIII. 

Lo, the round Weaver hills, that bound the sight, 
Hang like a bed of clouds in sombre blue ; 
But, shunning them, the channel to the right 
By Calwich bends its shining avenue ; 
Thence, till at Hanging Bridge I bid adieu, 
Fair Hundred of the Apple-tree, to thee ! 
A bolder district bursts upon the view ; 
The rocky parapets of Peak I see. 
And in those mountain holds, my spirit pants to be. 

XLIX. 
But night has issued from her caves ; her gloom 
Climbs like a mist, and darkens every steep ; 
The light that purpled all the west with bloom 
Is vanish'd, and along the flowing deep, 
A veil of dewy haze doth softly sweep. 
Fine as the gossamer, and pearly white. 
Thus warn'd of the approaching hours of sleep, 
I haste to Ashbourn, and with new delight 
Pass by its window'd spire with moonbeams tinted bright. 



28 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

L. 

Oakover's grove, that caught the evening breeze. 
Allured me onward when the morning smiled : 
There, in the mansion shelter'd by the trees. 
Is Raphael's sweetest work — the Virgin mild. 
Pictured with Jesus her most holy child. 
Here suits the tranquil scene ; Dove silent flows. 
As loving rest, escaped from regions wild : 
Hamps, too, and Manifold, here seek repose ; 
Like swans upon her wave their silver pinions close, 

LI. 

Ham, thy ancient Hall is swept away ! 
A fairer soon shall lift its domes and towers ; 
While still thy fountain-deeps ebullient play. 
And newborn rivers greet thy classic bowers 
And fossil grots. Strike on, and bring the hours. 
Thou clock embosom'd deep in ivy-green ! 
Time all things earthly but himself devours : 
Still broods antiquity upon the scene 
Where Bertram sleeps, where Congreve and Rousseau have 
been ! 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 29 

LII. 

Hail, thou cloud-mountain, on whose veteran front 
The storms that move at winter's stern behest 
Have beat for ages ! Thou endur'st the brunt. 
Guarding, hke knighthood of unshaken test, 
Dovedale's rock-gardens and her caves of rest. 
Bound on a pilgrimage to nature vow'd. 
Hither I come with no ungracious quest : — 
Then lift thy battle-axe, O blue Thorp Cloud ! 
And answer to my hail with clash of echoes loud ! 

LHI. 
Arriv'd within this dale of wonders, now 
I climb a shee})-path leading to a bower 
Of hawthorn : seated near, on the green brow 
Of a projecting cliff, I feel the power 
And beauty of the prospect — from the flower 
Whose novelty attracts me, as it peeps 
Above the herbage, to yon shelves that lour 
In anger still — threat'ning the death he sleeps. 
Whom erst they hurl'd, both horse and rider, down their steeps. 



30 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LIV. 
But most the alpine scenes in perspective 
Disturb me by their grandeur, from my seat. 
The earth itself seems changed on which I live : 
Rocks striding up the hills, and at my feet 
How fair the limpid Dove ! whose ripples greet 
Each islet-stone or bush that intervenes. 
Springing from lioary crags, in contrast meet 
Full blossom'd thorns and glossy evergreens ! 
While fern and moss-work frets amid these wild demesnes> 

LV. 

Let not the wanderer of the Switzer alps. 
Who has beheld the clouds beneath him sweep. 
And far above has seen the naked scalps 
Of the huge glaciers, or within the deep 
Dark piny forest on the mountain steep 
Has been benighted, let him not control 
These raptures ; passion here may reap 
Strong pleasures, and the elevated soul 
Expand this miniature into a mighty whole. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 31 

Lvr. 

Grass of Parnassus, can tlie vagrant iriuse 
Pass on, unmov'd by thy inspiring name ? 
Not the wild roses bathed in morning dews. 
Nor may the pimrose of the evening claim 
Such title to the poet's meed of fame, 
(Though many a charmed verse has told of them) 
As thou, among the flowers^ the mountain dame. 
That, seated on thy shapely pillar-stem. 
Art lovely as the light-reflecting opal gem. 

LVII. 
Here too, bloom other flowers, both strange and rare. 
The slender Catchfly* swings her silver bells 
On the high cliff's, upon whose topmost stair 
The mountain Scabious nods : those pinnacles 
Named from the village of the holy wells. 
Screen at their feet the lily of the vale. 
And hence the shepherd girls that haunt these dells 
Bear many a garland — Orchis, Cistus pale. 
Geranium and Anthillis, cull'd in this sweet dale. 

• Silcue uuitui;. 



32 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LVIII. 

Stillj Dovedale, yield thy flowers to deck the fountains 
Of Tissington^ upon its holy day ; 
The customs long preserv'd among the mountains. 
Should not be lightly left to pass away. 
They have their moral ; and we often may 
Learn from them how our wise forefathers wrought. 
When they upon the public mind would lay 
Some weighty principle, some maxim brought 
Home to their hearts, the healthful product of deep thought. 

LIX. 
Now through a copse of underwood the path 
Its course beside a roofless hovel brings. — 
^^ Is this the only structure Dovedale hath ? 
" Is there no temple-tower that heav'nwai'd springs ? 
" No palace-inn to stretch its crescent wings ?" — 
Yes, Nature builds where Art illudes the search : 
Look up, and see the ponderous arch that flings 
Sublime from rock to rock a tower'd porch 
To yon high caves : then mark the ancient Dovedale Church ! 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 33 

LX. 

Thou venerable Fane ! thy walls were rear'd. 
Thy ivied arches springing roof d the void. 
Thy fretted spires above the trees appeared. 
Ere Science one fair Order had employ'd. 
One metal, gold or silver unalloy'd. 
To shape and ornament her piles with grace. 
And yet the high emotions here enjoy'd. 
The humbling thoughts that human pride abase. 
Might well befit the service of a holier place. 

LXI. 

I glance around the dale from right to left ; — ■ 
It seems as Paradise were passing by. 
And I beheld it from this secret cleft. 
Flowers yield their fragrance ; trees, luxuriant, high. 
Climb the rude rocks ; and in the orient sky 
O'er yonder peak the smi reveals his fires ; 
The sparkling stream of Dove has caught his eye ; 
His glory lightens all the cliiFs and spires ;— . 
I see, I feel, my spirits glow with rapt desires. 



34 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXII. 
O hither bring the harp from Judah's palms. 
With psaltery, sackbut, dulcimer, and lute ; 
The music tuned of old to golden psalms. 
This crag-built church, these rocky aisles will suit. — 
They come — the wilderness no more is mute : 
The winds have brought the harpings of the sky ; 
Dove breathes her dulcet tones, the lark his flute ; 
The psaltery trees, the sackbut caves supply ; 
And one harmonious voice of praise ascends on high. 

LXIII. 
So when the plague at Eyam thinn'd the flock. 
The voice of worship on the sabbath day 
Within the hollow of the Cucklet rock 
Resounded. There with mingled sobs they pay 
To pitying heaven their vows. Thor's hammer lay. 
All impotent, to dust and darkness hurl'd : 
No more to idol-gods the people pray ; 
The banner of the cross, in light unfurl'd. 
Had swept that brood of giants from the northern world. 



THE TOUR OF TliE DOVE. 35 

LXIV. 

Ah Memory, if like echo tliou couldst give 
The sound that has departed voice again ; 
Couklst thou present, as in a mirror Hve 
The forms before it, my loved Sarah, — then, 
I'd bid thee solace me in this deep glen 
With her sweet voice, her angel countenance : 
But she, though faitliful as fond Imogen, 
Comes not; no slumber can renew the trance 
That once o'ercame me like a vision of romance ; 

LXV. 

She stood upon the threshold of the cave. 
Whose darkness was a foil to her light dress : 
The mountain masonry of nature gave 
A picture framed with rock, in whose recess 
Was shovm the Dove ; along the wilderness 
Cloud shadows swept, chased evermore away 
By the green sunshine : but can ought express 
Her soul-illumin'd features, or convey 
The breathing passion that she g<ive to this wild lay^? 



06 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

ODE. 

1. 

Lift up your heads, ye giant rocks ; 
Like clashing cymbals rear your blocks 

High in the upper air ; 

And may the thunders spare. 
When Dovedale trembles with loud shocks. 

Your top-stones loose and bare. 
2. 
Ye caves, that in the summer's bloom 
Afford a cool refreshing gloom, 

A rest to weary feet ; 

Still when the snow-storms beat. 
With stalactites of ice illume 

And welcome my retreat. 
S. 
And ye majestic rock defiles. 
That, rising like cathedral aisles. 

Catch the first gleams of dawn ; 

The sunshine on the lawn 
Between your walls, so sweetly smiles, 

O be it ne'er withdrawn. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 37 

4. 
When winter comes in shape deform. 
And the hills shiver in the storm, 

Scatt'ring their stones like hail ; 

Still may he harmless sail 
By every spire whose graceful form 

Gives beauty to the dale. 
5. 
Adown these slopes no torrents dash ; 
But here aspires the mountain ash. 

The purple thyme doth cling ; 

And wild-fowl on the wing. 
Are gilded by the rays that flash 

Upon the rainbow's ring. 

6. 

Wheeling with loftier sweep, the daw 
Reiterates his plaintive caw ; 

And on the cliff's bold breast. 

The martin, summer guest, 
Fix'd safely with tenacious claw. 

Models her stucco nest. 

D 



S% THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

7. 
And thou, sweet Dove ! thy voice is mild. 
Thy stream is playful as a child ; 

Nor want'st thou shady bowers, 

Or bright aquatic flowers : 
Yet hast thou seen a period wild. 

When horror ruled the hours ; 

8. 
In dreadful agitation tost. 
Each moment fearing to be lost ; 

For, from the deep abyss. 

With fiery vapours' hiss. 
Rose Earthquake, like a troubled ghost. 

Darkening the scenes of bliss. 

9^ 
" Then shook tihe hills, by thunders riven ;' 
And Ruin s ploughshare, fiercely driven. 
Broke through the rocks its way. — 
W^ho bade the tumult stay ? 
Who turn'd the hell into a heaven ? — 
The God whom worlds obey ! 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

10. 
To Him be glory evermore ! — 
The rocks, the hills, the spangled floor 
Of earth, this arch, these caves. 
And Dove's rejoicing waves ; — 
Let every object Him adore, 

Whose power in mercy saves. 

LXVI. 

Like moonlight after sunshine, such did seem 
This my recital, bringing into mind 
The music she had pour'd upon the theme, 
She, whom with fond regret I left behind. 
By weakness and the cares of life confin'd. 
Ah, love and friendship still are precious things ; 
Man was not for an anchorite design'd. 
But for that sweet companionship which brings 
Joy to his joys, and comfort to his sorrowings. 



40 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE, 

LXVII. 

Thus ra using thoughtfully, I felt Imbued 
With the pervading influence of the spot. 
Its silence and oppressive solitude. 
Nor mine nor quarry mars this hidden plot ; 
The fox still shelters in the mountain grot; 
And though no flaming sword forbids access. 
Yet here the peasant shuns to fix his cot ; 
For nature has her sanctities, no less 
Than Eden's garden, left to utter loneliness. 

LXVIII. 
I scaled the craggy cliff's, and in the niche 
Upon their summit, like a statue stood : 
Down to the deeps of Dove mine eye could reach,-— 
A dizzy sight, unfit to calm the blood, — 
But here it roused the torpor of its flood ; 
The freshen'd breeze in eddies round me curl'd ; 
And now descending in a livelier mood, 
I sought the gorge through which the floods are hurVd, 
When Dove seems breaking from an inundated world. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 41 

LXIX. 

As when, outstretching up the azure sky. 
The clouds dispart their purple-tinted wings. 
We gaze upon the canopy on high 
'Till admiration into wonder springs. 
And fancy paints, in bright imaginings, 
A heavenly shape to wield those mighty plumes : 
So where the cataract its torrent flings. 
An arc of rainbow hues the spray assumes. 
And forms of beauty dance amid the shadowy glooms. 

LXX. 

Such where Niagara hurls her thundering flood 
Are seen, as roving Indians make report ; 
But Dove, when swoln wath rains and dark with mud, 
Unwieldy welters in far different sort : 
And I had rather watch the mimic sport 
Of trim cascades, in Chatsworth gardens tost ; 
Or wait till Winter holds his brilliant court ; 
Then seek the pillar'd caves with ice embost. 
And all the magic pageantry of snow and frost. 



42 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXXI. 

Not mocking now the turmoil of the ocean 
Dove puts its rocky barriers to the proof; 
But gently gliding with a tremulous motion. 
As fearful lest the masses piled aloof 
Should fall like thunder bursting heaven's cloud-roof. 
Here skip the sheep along the stepping stones. 
Reckless of danger, and with unwet hoof: 
I following, pass the chasm, and reach the cones 
Whose rude magnificence for slippery path atones. 

LXXII. 
Whence came this spectacle of rugged c6nes ? 
Was it that some vast inundation hove 
Hither the kraken of the deep, whose bones. 
Then stranded on the margin of the Dove, 
Have petrified, and give the mountain cove 
Its horned aspect ? Or was this a camp 
Of the huge Titans, warring against Jove ? 
And these their weapons, thus, with echoing stamp, 
Uprear'd from earth, the valour of high heaven to damp ? 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 43 

LXXIII. 

They lodge on either mountain as a flock 
Of sheep might rest, or herd of antler'd de^r ; 
And One, more vast, doth front the Needle Rock. 
Above the dense white fog uprising clear. 
It seems an isle of a serener sphere. 
Dependant not on earth, but on the laws 
That guide the orbs of heaven in their career.— 
But now, upon its base I see it pause. 
Like Nature's finger pointing to the Great First Cause. 

LXXIV. 

Such is the final scene magnificent ! 
These are the closing Portals of the Dale : 
And lo, within, but placed more eminent, 
A Lion, sculptured on colossal scale. 
Rears like a sphinx : his body and his tail 
Are hidden ; but his noble head and breast 
Declare the guardianship of this proud vale 
On his stern magnanimity may rest ;— 
Approach, ye tourists ; he will harm no loyal guest. 



44 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXXV. 

With quiet lapse the gliding waters lave 
An open plot of verdant meadow ground ; 
Where, faring on, I reach a double cave,* 
Above whose entrances, Avide- sweeping round, 
A frontal arch by nature's hand is wound 
Encircling both : the stony floor is dry ; 
And where the shadow deeper falls, are found. 
As in a gallery retiring high. 
Ledges of rock, that seats and tables both supply, 

LXXVI. 
Here entering, I refresh'd myself within 
With rest and food, and, more desir'd than all. 
With Dove's pure lymph : no " Salutation Inn,'* 
No " Haven" on the moors, glad house of call 
To weary travellers, like this natural hall 
Has e'er pleas'd me : and here, with voices bold. 
The echoes pass the stream, from wall to wall ; 
Fond of the pleasing name yon pile doth hold, — 
The ^' Shepherd's Abbey," where at eve he pens his fold. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 45 

LXXVII. 

O Cliantrey, tliy incomparable skill 
Could I command, I might employ it now ; 
For on the apex of that conic hill 
There stands — in listless apathy — a Cow. 
No bushes, not a solitary bough. 
To break the charmed figure interfere ; 
But, as for sculpture fix'd, she keeps the brow. 
That seems its rocky pedestal to rear. 
Bearing the idol-goddess Egypt did revere. 

LXXVIII. 

Not dwindled but enlarged, still on the height. 
That form the musing mind's attention fills. 
Pondering the effect of place, and shade, and light 
But nature moves our wonder as she wills : — 
The shadows wandermg on the sunny hills. 
And those of spectral shape, that walk the clouds ; 
The wind that like a cavem'd spirit shrills ; 
The white mists passing in their wreathed shrouds ; 
The giant crags, sole-peering, or in banded crowds ; 



46 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXXIX. 

With lurid aspect the dark thunder storm 
Opening upon the hills its eye of fire ;* 
The water-spout, whose strange portentous form 
Stoops its proboscis like a downward spire. 
The crater of the clouds ; and, from the pyre 
Of kiln or furnace vomited amain. 
The smoke whose serpent girdle doth attire 
The moorlands ; — these are the majestic train. 
The retinue of Dove, in Nature's mountahi reign, 

LXXX. 

And in this lonely region wandering on, 
(Yet to the arbitrary path confined,) 
Recurs the bold rock-scenery : anon, 
A rustic bridge appears, and lodged behind, 
A groupe of cottages, with mill to grind 
Their slender harvest. Gladly did I hail 
The sight in this wild place of human kind : 
But I must quit them, and pursue my tale 
Beneath the tors and turret-peaks of Narrow Dale, 

* «' Open thine eye of fire from some uncertain cloud." COLERIDGE. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 47 

LXXXI. 

Valley of shadow ! thee the evening moon 
Hath never visited ; the summer sun 
Arrives too late to mark the hour of noon 
In thy deep solitude : yet hast thou One 
Will not forsake thee : here the Dove doth run 
Mile after mile thy dreary steeps between. 
Where rise the iron tors, of aspect dun : 
While oft pursuing her dark wave are seen 
The sportive king-fishers, on wings of emerald green. 

LXXXII. 

Thy only buildings are the stepping stones,-— 
A path of peril to the unpractis'd foot. 
But at thy valley-head the country owns 
A firmer bridge, outstretching from the root 
Of a high hill that might, with Hanson Toot, 
Have gain'd a name from Cotton's classic pen. 
Here, in the glorious sun-light, I recruit 
Awhile my overburthen'd spirits ; then, 
I pass the meads to Berrisford's enchanting glen. 



48 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXXXIII. 

But who can paint the beauties of Pike Pool ? 
Thy Duddon, Wordsworth, in its splendid route 
Has nought so soft and green, so shadowy cool. 
'Tis haunted by the grayling and the trout: 
And from the sleeping water rising out — 
Fairer than workmanship of elfin hands — 
Appears an obelisk, a rocky sprout ; 
Like those of coral seen on Indian strands; 
But here more elegant and beautiful it stands. 

LXXXIV. 

Shrubs and steep crag a crescent skreen have drawn. 
That on its southern side the river bounds; 
The fellow bank is a smooth slip of lawn. 
Skirted abrupt by bold romantic mounds. 
With foliage hanging as from garden grounds : 
These lead the eye to open fields of grass : 
But loveliest is that pool the glen surrounds. 
High above all is a stupendous mass, — 
A rock-built range of towers that frown upon the Pass. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 49 

LXXXV. 

Enough, methinks, is told of Nature's grace, 
Pour'd freely on this stream, to anglers dear : 
Diviner worth has sanctified the place. 
That Fishing House among those firs that rear 
Their tops above it, leads me to revere 
The seal of Friendship warm as filial love : 
Twined in one cypher, on the front appear 
Walton and Cotton's names ; there fixed to prove 
A record of affection near their favorite Dove. 

LXXXVI. 

The heroism of friendship, he could tell 
Who lay in jeopardy by Ezel stone ;* 
What time beyond its mark the arrow fell 
Wing'd with his .adverse fate. There, met alone. 
Wept Jonathan and David, 'till the moan 
Of David's grief prevail'd: and when, ere long. 
His friend among the mighty lay o'erthrown 
Upon Gilboa's mountains, O how strong 
He pour'd his loud lament, in agony of song ! 

• Vide 1 Samuel la. 19. 



50 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

LXXXVII. 
But here the affections flow*d in a more calm 
Though varied tenor. Cheerful, sage, and mild, 
Walton's discourse was like the honey balm 
Distill'd by flowers. Along these waters wild, 
Srait with the love of angling, he beguiled, 
With his adopted son, the hours away. 
While Cotton own'd the fondness of a child 
For him, in whose glad company to stay. 
Had made the whole year pass like one sweet month of May. 

LXXXVIII. 
Peace to the memory of these plighted friends I 
And peace to this fair glen and garden grove !— 
Where Hartington up yonder slope ascends, 
I hasten — still in presence of the Dove, 
That now appears delightedly to rove^ 
With ampler sweep, receding from the hills. 
Yet ever as the springlets from above 
Rush down, it turns to meet their glittering rills. 
With volume serpentine, whose train the valley fills. 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 51 

LXXXIX. 

The " Nile of England !" do not think it strange 
If Dove can prove that queenly title good : 
Look on from Ludwell ; — what a lengthen'd range. 
On either side, of moorlands ; bare of wood, 
(A luxury here) yet cover'd with a brood 
Of feeding cattle and innumerous sheep : 
These heap the ground ; and in the time of flood. 
The gathering torrents, with resistless sweep. 
Convey the rich manure to fertilize the deep : — 

xc. 

The deep, that downward rolling to the south. 
Wastes not its riches where the rifted dale 
Confines its course ; yet soon with liberal mouth 
Outpours them forth. Hence, many a milky vale. 
And distant fertile plains its bounties hail. 
But now, within its wonted bed the stream 
Impels its billows, darken'd here with shale : 
I trace them upward, guided by the gleam 
Of Parker's giant-helm that meets the sunny beam. 



52 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XCI. 
But wearisome the way ; this vale's extent. 
Whose glorious perspective deceives the eye. 
Not hastily is measured ; and o'erspent 
With heat, I sought the friendly shelter, nigh. 
Of a fine ash that braves the sultry sky. 
On a sharp knoll it stands ; but as I drew 
Near to its shadow, haply there to lie 
In dreamy mood, came suddenly in view, 
A cave, about whose mouth the twisted ash-roots grew. 

XCII. 

A hollow path, whose surface was conceal'd 
With richest verdui-e, tow'rd the entrance led. 
Quick leaping down, I saw at once reveal'd 
This charming grotto : — stretching o'er its head, 
A marble slab ; its floor a liquid bed ; 
Its marble sides festoon'd with mosses thin : — 
I softly enter'd, with unsandall'd tread ; 
When hark ! I heard an echoing voice within—- 
It was a fountain chaunting with melodious din ! 



THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 53 

XCIII. 
With strength and freedom flow'd the water-song ; 
And clear as morning came the gehd wave. 
That from a dark recess now gush'd along. 
And seem'd as with a mirror bright to pave 
The fair interior of the fountain-cave. 
Adown the hollow, then, through herbage deep. 
And plants whose flowers and floating tresses gave 
Their mantle to the stream, its waters sweep, 
'Till on her bosom Dove receives them from the steep. 

XCIV. 
Then said I, tasting that deUcious lymph, 
" Of life's dull tedium I'll complain no more : 
<' The haunted isle where Circe, goddess-nymph, 
« As fabled, with Ulysses dwelt of yore ; 
" The syrens singing on their sun-bright shore ; 
" With less of true enchantment sway the mind, 
" Than this wild region fraught with nature's lore. 
" Stretch on, ye vallies ! wheresoe'er ye wind, 
'■' The waters guide me still, your secret paths to find." 

E 



54 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XCV. 
Where sleeps the giant in his mountain-tent ; 
Where from the deluge Croome upheaved his shell, — 
Its mammoth bulk with ribs emboss'd and bent, — 
The river hurries by each spectacle. 
In such dread neighbourhood afraid to dwell. 
But charming was the picture at Wash-Gate ! 
There, through a rustic arch the waters fell ; 
There, at one cottage door a peasant sate ; 
And one, with ivy garlanded, stood desolate. 

XCVI. 

Now like a shallow brook the Dove is spread 
Among the stones and pebbles, pour'd between. 
Too weak to bathe them in her amber bed ; 
Yet still is homaged as a river-queen. 
Even here, she is the glory of the scene ; 
The eye of light, that animates the ground ; 
The ear, that tunes to harmony serene. 
The piping rills, the torrents roaring round. 
And tumbling waterfalls, that rush with deeper sound. 



TUB TOUR OF THE DOVE. 55 

XCVII. 

Quitting the stream to slum a steep morass. 
It meets me soon again in Immbler plight ; 
With mosses, rushes, flags, and tufted grass 
As in a cradle folded, yet still bright. 
Busy, and cheerful, — still in hasty flight. 
I clamber onward through the boggy sedge ; 
And now the Peak's dark alp displays its height :— 
Great Parent of swift rivers, which there fledge 
Their infant wings ; — the cloud- sustaining broad Ax Edge ! 

XCVIII. 
There rise the Goit, the Dane, the Wye, the Dove ! 
And if, as when, on Ida's summit view'd. 
The rival goddesses for beauty strove. 
If there the proud contention were renew'd 
By these four rivers. Dove would gain the feud. 
She, like the turtle dove that cleaves the sky. 
Pursues her brilliant passage, many-hued ; — 
Amber, blue, green, and silver, every dye 
That peat, sliale, marbles, clouds, or foliage can supply. 



56 THE TOUR OF THE DOVE. 

XCIX. 

At length 'tis gain'd, the heathy cloud-capt mountain ? 
Not at the hamlet of Dove Head I rest. 
But higher up, beside a bubbling fountain. 
That makes within a little well its nest. 
Here springs the Dove ! and with a grateful zest 
I di'ink its waters, that first serve the poor. — 
O when shall they repose on ocean's breast .'* 
How long must their rough pilgrimage endure ? 
They ask not, but commence their wild romantic tour ! 

C. 

Harp, to the sweeter voice of waters play'd !— 
Where Ham's fountains rise in crystal rings ; 
And where, with cliffs o'erhung, and leafy shade. 
The stream of Dove descends on brilliant wings ; 
Here may'st thou hush to rest thy quivering strings I 
For I have seen Pike Pool's deep-mirror'd cone ; 
Within the marble cave have drank its springs ; 
And resting now upon Dove's fountain-stone. 
Thy music dies away — her soft pipe trills alone ! 



NOTES. 



Stanza 3, line 6. 
" With him to view the Dovedale of the Peak" 

That the admiration of picturesque scenery which 
characterizes the present age, and seems to be a 
natural feeling of the human mind, has not, at all 
times been displayed, is evident from the topo- 
graphical writings which antiquarians have left 
us. If the splendid reign of Edward III. has, 
in the choice of situation for the numerous abbeys 
that were then founded, supplied sufficient demon- 
stration of fine taste and fondness for romantic 
seclusion ; yet a strange reverse of feeling must 
have been in operation, during what has been 



58 NOTES. 

called the golden age of our Elizabeth. The fol- 
lowing extract from the " Survey of Staffordshire, 
containing the antiquities of the County," by 
Sampson Erdeswick, Esq., (who died in l603) 
will show that this most beautiful dale of the Peak 
was at that time held in no estimation. 

" Dove having past by the side of Alstonfield, 
for three or four miles, without any matter worth the 
noting, at last receiveth on the west side, a pretty 
brook, for its many turnings (by reason of the 
mountains, and the unevenness of the ground) 
called Manifold, which taketh its beginning within 
a mile of the head of Dove, and, fellow-like, 
keepeth its course with it, not being above two 
miles from it until they meet." 

Stanza 4, line 2. 
" Q/'^o^ moch pile ynisnamed of Waterloo" 

This prospect building, named Waterloo Castle, 
was erected by A. Hoskins, Esq. of Newton Solney. 
The site is finely elevated, commanding a very 
extensive prospect ; that towards the north having 
in its foreground the junction of the Dove and 
Trent. The building, seen from a proper dis- 
tance, is itself a fine object; but its imposing 



NOTES. 59 

magnificence can hardly fail to occasion a disap- 
pointment, when a nearer approach discovers its 
deceptive outline, and homely materials. 

Stanza G. 
^' Two rivers weary of the sun, that sheds, S^c" 

In the ordinary dry weather of summer, these 
rivers disappear entirely, each with a powerful 
stream entering the rocky fissures in their channel. 
The Hamps sinks a little above the bridge at Leek 
Waterhouses ; and the Manifold near Wetton Mill. 
In wet seasons a considerable surplus of water is 
left to occupy their channels, which form a junction 
about four miles above Ham. At this place the 
subterranean waters are discharged by separate 
orifices, and flowing into the old channel, they 
form an united stream, which soon enters the 
Dove, a little below the village. 

Stanza 8, line 1. 
" With these hy Alton Abbey's castle-den" 

The ruins of the castle of Alveton, since called 
Alton, have now dwindled into an appendage to 
the abbey; having no architectural beauty left to 
reconmiend them, they are worthy of notice chiefly 



60 NOTES. 

on account of their abrupt and perilous situation 
on the precipice that overhangs the bed of the 
Churnet. Alton Abbey, is an irregular gothic 
mansion ; its finest parts being of modern erection 
by the present earl of Shrewsbury. It stands in a 
bold hilly country; and its highly embellished 
gardens, extending along the sides of the declivi- 
tiesj, exhibit a combination of natural with artificial 
beauty, which seems almost to have realized the 
fictions of Arabian tales. 

Stanza l6, lines 5 and 6. 
" Beyond the precincts of the chase he went—' 
As ( nee to Shirley Park." 

This celebrated fox-chase has been made the sub- 
ject of a ballad, written with considerable spirit, 
and which it once happened to me to hear sung 
with an animation worthy of a loftier excitement. 
The following extract may serve as a specimen, 
though it is not the most amusing portion. 

" The sportsmen they rid at a desperate rate. 
As if they had run for a thousand pound plate ; 
No hedges could turn them, nor walls could them set. 
For the choicest of sportsmen in England were met. 



NOTES. Ql 

The hounds they did rally and briskly pursue ; 

Do you hear little Careless, she runs him in view. 
Fifty miles in four hours, which is a great ride ; 
'Till in Wootton old park brave Reynard he died. 

* * * * * -* * 

Lets ring Reynard's farewell with a horn that 

sounds clear; 
You've not heard such a hollow this hundred year." 

Stanza 24, lines 8 and Q. 
" The hand is jjowcrless now, the lyre unstrung. 
That charnid the dingles with itsjinest tones" 

The death of such men as the late F. N. C. Mundy, 
Esq., is a public loss; and the bust which has been 
erected to his memory, affords a j^roof of the 
general estimation with which he was regarded. 
But his virtues have obtained for him a more pre- 
cious memorial in the hearts of his surviving 
countrymefi; and his genius, displayed in the 
poems of " Needwood Forest," and the " Fall of 
Needwood," will transmit his name to posterity, so 
long as a taste for simple melody and genuine 
pathos shall prevail. His bust, which is now the 
ornament of our County Hall, is the production of 



62 NOTES. 

E. Chantrey, Esq. ; and on the tablet, beneath it is 
the following elegant and nervous inscription, from 
the classic pen of Sir Brook Boothby, Bart. 

THIS EFFIGY 

IS CONSECRATED BY HIS COUNTRYMEN 
TO THE 3HEM0RY OF 

FRANCIS NOEL CLARKE MUNDY, 

WHO HAVING MODESTLY DECLINED 

THEIR UNANIMOUS OFEER 

TO ELECT HIM AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN PARLIAMENT, 

CONTINUED TO PRESIDE 

ON THE BENCH OF JUSTICES IN THIS HALL 

DURING A PERIOD OF NEARLY 50 YEARS, 

WITH A CLEARNESS OF JUDGMENT, 

AND AN INTEGRITY OF DECISION, 

WELL WORTHY 

OF BEING GRATEFULLY RECORDED. 

THIS EXCELLENT MAN 

ADMIRED FOR THE ELEGANCE OF HIS LITERARY PRODUCTIONS, 

BELOVED FOR THE GENTLENESS OF HIS MANNERS, 

REVERED FOR HIS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VIRTUES, 

LIVED HAPPILY AT HIS PATERNAL SEAT 

AT MARKEATON 

TO THE AGE OF 76 YEARS. 

MAY HIS EXAMPLE EXCITE EMULATION ! 



NOTES. 63 

Stanza 46, line 1. 
" The barren Churnet joins upon the plains 
Of Rocesier." 

" Churnett, at Rowcester, entering into Dove 
upon the west side, hath its first spring within less 
than two miles of Dove-head, though it wanders 
something further off than Manifold did, and there- 
fore longer ere it shakes hands with it. 

" Churnett, passing from the head, through one 
of the barrenest countries that I know, hath not 
any place worth the naming, till it come to Dieu 
le Cresse, an abbey founded by the last Ranulfe, 
earl of Chester." — Erdeswick. 

Stanza 47- 
'' fVhere art or wast thou, time-honor' d Tr'ee, t^'C." 

The Hundred of Appletree is said to derive its 
name from a tree of that kind, underneath whose 
branches the meetings of the magistracy were 
convened, to transact the business of the district. 
I have not been able to ascertain in what place this 
tree stood ; but if I might offer a conjecture, I 
should think it very probable that Cubley, which 
is nearly in the centre of the Hundred, was the 
spot. There is no vestige now remaining, but one 



64 NOTES. 

part of the village where two of the principal roads 
intersect each other, is called Cubley Stoop, which, 
I am told, is a corruption of Cubley Stump, per- 
haps derived from the stump of this extinct tree. 

Stanza 48, line 4. 
^' By Calwich bends its shining avenue." 

" From Mayfield, Dove passeth to Calwich, 
whereof I can only make this report, that being, 
or belonging to a cell, or house of religion (Kenil- 
worth, in Warwickshire) now a Lancashire gen- 
tleman is owner thereof; who, as I have heard, 
hath made a parlour of the chancel, a hall of the 
church, and a kitchen of the steeple, which may 
be true, for I have known a gentleman in Cheshire 
who hath done the like." — Erdeswick, A.D. 1600. 

Stanza 51. 
" Ham, thy ancient hall is swept away, S^^c." 

Thus truly romantic situation, which has been 
compared to '' a glen in the alps," is about to be 
adorned with a new mansion, under the auspices 
of its proprietor, Jesse Watts Russell, Esq., on a 
plan that promises to be in harmony with the spirit 
of the place. Near to the site of the mansion is 



NOTES. 6-5 

the Churchj a fine antique structure, having its 
tower luxuriantly decorated with ivy, which sus- 
pends from the pinnacles its tassels of the most vivid 
green, and beautifully festoons the dial of the 
clock. Here is preserved the tomb of St. Bertram, 
the scholar of St. Guthlac, who in this place led 
an eremetical life ; and the church is soon to be 
enriched with a splendid groupe of statuary in 
memory of Mrs. Russell's father, the late D. P. 
Watts, Esq. of London, from the chissel of our 
great English sculptor; for containing which, a 
cemetery is now in the course of erection. 

Stanza 52, line 8. 
« Then lift thy battle-axe, blue Thorp Chud !", 

The summit of this mountain is a sharp ridge of 
rock, bearing a rude resemblance to the head 
of the ancient battle-axe. 

Stanza 53, lines 8 and 9- 
" threat'ning the death he sleeps, 
Wliom erst they hurl'd, both horse and rider down 
their steeps." 

This passage refers to a melancholy accident which 
befel the Rev. Dean Langton, of Cloger, in Ire- 



66 NOTES. 

land. Having rashly proposed to ride up the 
slope of these acclivities to the ridge of the hill, an 
adventurous lady of the party, Miss La Roche, 
requested to take her seat behind him on the 
horse, which he unfortunately acceded to. The 
result was, that the footing of the animal failed, 
and the whole were precipitated down the steeps. 
The Dean died of the injury he received; the 
lady, whose hair became entangled in a bush, was 
taken up insensible, from which state, she slowly 
recovered ; the horse escaped with only a few 
slight contusions. 

Stanza 56. 
" Grass of Parnassus, can the vagrant muse, ^x." 

Dovedale has been celebrated for its variety of 
plants, containing amongst them a number of rare 
and beautiful species. A profusion of flowers and 
ornamental shrubs, that flourish here, might have 
been added to the selection made in this and the 
following stanza ; but the subject will not be pur- 
sued further, than to plead, as an apology for this 
botanical minutia, the example of the Hebrew 
Muse, whom Michaelis asserts to be the most 
botanical of all muses; the various plants men- 



NOTES. (57 

tioned in scripture (and chiefly in the poetical 
parts) amounting to several hundreds. 

Stanza 58. 

" Still Dovedale yield thy Jlowers to deck the fomu 
tains, S^c'' 

The custom of decorating wells with flowers, and 
attending them with religious services and festive 
rejoicings on holy Thursday, is not peculiar to 
Tissington. Many other wells have been commit- 
ted to the patronage of the Saints, and treated 
with similar reverence, some on account of the 
purity, and others for the medicinal virtue of their 
waters. St. Alkmund's well, at Derby, is an in- 
stance of the former class, where the name has 
been continued long after the superstition which 
gave it has passed away. In the dark ages of 
popery, this veneration for holy wells, was carried 
to an idolatrous excess, insomuch, that in the 
reigns of Edgar and Canute, it was found necessary 
to issue edicts prohibiting well- worship. But the 
principle of veneration for waters, if restricted 
within its proper bounds, is amiable: indeed it 
seems to have been implanted in the breast of mar. 
in all ages. A fountain is the emblem of purity 



68 NOTES. 

and benevolence. From the days when the patri- 
archs journeyed in the wilderness, down to the 
present period; whether bursting through the 
arid sands of the African desert, or welling out 
its genial waters amid the Greenland snows ; its 
soft melody, its motion, its transparency, and its 
refreshing virtues, have ever been a subject of 
interest and dehght to the human race. Who 
could have approached the Bethesda of the Jews 
with a callous heart ? Who could have listened 
with indifference to the song of Israel, when her 
princes had digged the well, and her nobles and 
lawgiver stood around it ? 

Stanza 63. 
*' So when the plague at Eyam tkinn'd ihejhck, c^c." 

A very interesting account of the dreadful visit- 
ation of the plague at Eyam, may be found in 
Part I. of Rhodes's " Peak Scenery ;" a work that 
deserves the patronage of every gentleman who 
can estimate the merits of graphic embellishment, 
or the beauties of fine writing. A polished stone 
or marble hammer, supposed to be the symbol of 
the divinity of Thor, has been lately turned up 
by the plough from its obscurity, and is now in 
the possession of Mr. Bird of Eyam. 



NOTES. G9 

Ode^ verse 9? lines 1, 2, 3. 

" Then shook the hills , hy thunders riven, 
And mins ploughshare, Jiercelij driven, 
Broke through the rocks its way." 

The first line is borrowed from Campbell's Hohen- 
linden, and the second is altered from Dr. Young's 
verse, 

*' and final ruin fiercely drives 
Her ploughshare o'er creation." 

Stanza 74. 
*^ Such is the final scene magnificent, S^c," 

It is not so easy as might be imagined, to obtain 
a correct nomenclature of the places of note in 
Dovedale. The accounts given in the various 
publications respecting Derbyshire do not corre- 
spond ; and the traditional tales delivered by the 
guides are many of them unworthy of notice. 
The projection of rock which affords a subject 
to this stanza, bears a striking resemblance to the 
head of a lion ; at a small distance, on the other 
side of the river, is a dark cavern called the lion's 
den ; some of the other names are given with 
propriety ; but to listen to all the farrago of sugar 

G 



70 NOTES. 

loaveS;, the twelve apostles, the lover's leap. Queen 
Mary's snuff-box, &c. &c., would be to render this 
vale of contemplation, this museum of nature, a 
vanity-fair, and a fool's paradise. 

Stanza 78, line 6. 
" And those of spectral shape that walk ike clouds." 

This phenomenon is of rare occurrence; but the 
writer was once favored with an appearance of the 
kind upon Calton moor, when, in the midst of a 
drizzling storm of sleet, he was startled by the 
appearance of an equestrian figure upon the cloud 
that skirted the hill, keeping pace with the horse 
that carried him. 

The water-spout is an electrical phenomenon, 
that occurs with more frequency. They are 
called pipes in the Peak of Derbyshire, and do not 
always discharge their contents, but are sometimes 
drawn back into the cloud from which they were 
suspended. 

Stanza 81. 
" Valley of shadow! thee the evening moonj Sfc." 

Dr. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, speaking 
of this part of the county, says, " The mountains 
are so high that in rainy weather their tops may be 



NOTES. 71 

seen above the clouds ; and they are so narroAv, 
that the inhabitants, in that time of the 3'ear when 
the sun is nearest the tropic of Capricorn, never 
see it ; and when it does begin to appear, they 
do not see it till about one o'clock, which they 
call Narrow-dale noon, using it as a proverb w^hen 
any thing is delayed." 

This passage applies to the hamlet of Narrow- 
dale, consisting of about four houses, situate 
behind the range of hills which form the western 
boundary of the confined valley where the Dove 
finds its passage. But this defile also, is, with 
more propriety, called Narrow-dale. It extends 
about four miles, from Woscote* bridge to the new 
bridge, where the road from Alstonfield crosses 
the river to ascend the hill of Hanson Toot. Mill 
Dale, which commences here, reaches to the caves 
called Dove-holes, being above a mile in length. 
The whole extent, from Mill Dale to Woscote 
bridge, is remarkable for its deep seclusion and 
solitary grandeur; especially the lower part of 
the dale, where the rocks, denominated the Iron 
tors, elevate their buttresses till they appear like 
dilapidated turrets above the summit line of the 
Staffordshire hills. It may perhaps be useful to 



• This name, Mr. Henry Moore informs me, was originally Wolfs cote. I am 
also indebted to him for information respecting the Iron tors, and Faik-house head. 



72 NOTES. 

state, that the route along the side of the Dove, 
may be pursued from Dovedale with greater ease 
and safety, by crossing over the narrow bridge 
at Mill Dale, and after having reached the new 
bridge, where the Alstonfield road passes, there to 
recross the river to the Derbyshire side, and then 
continue on that side till Woscote bridge is 
reached, which is but a short distance from Pike 
Pool. 

Stanza 82, lines 5 and 6. 

" Of a high hill that might with Hanson Toot 
Have gaitid a name from Cotton's classic pen." 

The allusion here made, is to the following passage 
in Walton's Complete Angler, part 2nd, by Cotton. 

'^ Viator. Well, if ever I come to London, of 
which many a man there, if he were in my place, 
would make a question, I will sit down and write 
my travels, and print them at my own charge. 
Pray what do you call this hill we came down ? 

PiscATOR. We call it Hanson Toot. 

Viator. Why, farewell Hanson Toot; I'll no 
more on thee : I'll go twenty miles about first." 

It is always an unpleasant task to advert to the 
errors committed by other writers; but in this 



NOTES. 73 

Second Part of the Complete Angler, there is a 
note subjoined by Walton, which has, I think, 
misled several respectable authors, and in justice 
to myself I am compelled to notice it. Speaking 
of the rock in Pike- Pool, he says : 

" 'Tis a rock in the fashion of a spire steeple, and almost as 
big. It stands in the midst of the river Dove ; and not far 
from Mr. Cotton's house, below which place this delicate 
river takes a swift career betwixt many mighty rocks. And 
this Dove being opposed by one of the highest of them, has, 
at last, forced itself a way through it ; and after a mile's 
concealment, appears again with more glory and beauty than 
before that opposition, running through the most pleasant 
vallies and most fruitful meadows that this nation can justly 
boast of." 

The Rev. Samuel Bentley, when he composed 
his poem entitled " The River Dove, a lyric pas- 
toral," must have been strangely deceived by this 
note, as the one subjoined to his stanza on Pike 
Pool is evidently fabricated from it. In the fol- 
lowing verse he is yet more glaringly incorrect: 

" A cavern now opes its huge round, 

The Dove in its womb to enclose ; 
Hark ! hollow its murmurs resound, 

"While deep through its bowels it flows : 
Absorb'd tho' the Dove from our sight, 

A chymical filtering tries, 
Emerging I see it more bright. 

And more with transparency rise," 



74 NOTES. 

As the statements conveyed by these writers are 
not borne out by the fact, I have endeavoured to 
ascertain what is the real truth, and how far it 
has afforded any ground for the above assertions. 
In tracing tlie course of the river, which in this 
part I followed downwards, I found a continuous 
stream ; suspecting however that its vokmie was 
become decreased below Woscote bridge, I took 
the opportunity of a second visit to examine it 
more carefully ; and then discovered an eddy 
behind the rock in Pike Pool, where I should cal- 
culate that about one third part of the stream was 
absorbed ; and it probably finds its outlet into the 
channel again, somewhere in Narrow Dale. As I 
had observed, in the summer of 1818, that the 
stream of the Wye disappeared for a short space, a 
little below Buxton ; I made inquiry at Harting- 
ton, whether this had then been the case with 
the Dove, and was informed, that the Dove had 
never been known to disappear from the surface 
in any part of its course. 

Stanza 85, lines 4 and 5. 

" That Fishing house among those ^rs which rear 

Their tops above it." 
As the Rev. S. Bentley, In the poem which has 
already been quoted from, has mentioned this 



NOTES. 75 

place with much fellcft)^ it is hoped it will not 
be unacceptable to introduce his description. 

" Here Cotton his temple has rear'd. 

Which yonder peninsula shows. 
By fishermen loved and revered. 

For sacred to fishers it rose : 
Close shaded those osiers among, 

The father of fishers would lie. 
And while silver Dove was his song, 

Improved for deception the fly." 

Stanza 93, line 1. 
" With strength and freedom jlow'd the jvaler song." 

This fountain, and another which issues from the 
hill at a short distance, make a considerable 
accession to the stream of the Dove^ in dr}'^ 
weather nearly doubling its current. The na- 
ture of the materials that compose the cavern 
was not particularly investigated; but the pre- 
valence of marble in this district must strike 
the observation of the most inattentive tourist; 
for he cannot pass through the common stiles 
that connect the fields, without perceiving the fine 
polish which the slabs forming their sides have 
acquired. 



76 NOTES. 

Stanza 95, lines 1 and 2. 
" Where sleeps the giant in his mountain-tent ; 
Where frmn the deluge Croome upheaved his shell." 

One of the mountains in the neighbourhood of 
Longnor, called Parker's head, a corruption of 
Park-house head, discovers its summit at six or 
eight miles distance, like a huge helmet peering 
above the hills in its vicinity; which circumstance 
was alluded to in the ninetieth stanza. On a 
nearer approach, when the entire bulk of the 
mountain is displayed, it bears a striking resem- 
blance to the form of a tent, having on the north 
side a projecting gable of rock, which might be 
taken for the entrance porch. Croome, or High 
Croome, is a neighbouring mountain of greater 
magnitude, having its back furrowed like a 
shell with indurated ridges. Each of these 
mountains rises in a distinct mass from the plain, 
unconnected with the high grounds in the 
vicinity. 

Stanza 97. line 9. 

" The cloud sustaining broad Ax-Edge." 

It is difficult to account for the name which has 
been given to this mountain. If an opinion were 



NOTES. 77 

to be formed in the abstract^ we might suppose 
that it was moulded into a sharp ridge, and 
received its name from that circumstance; but 
as its form is very different, being a heavily- 
rounded mass, may it not be concluded that its 
etymology is derived from altitude alone, in which 
respect, it stands superior to Moredge, Stanedge, 
Ladder-edge, or any of the more abrupt eminences 
in the neighbourhood. 

Stanza 99^ line 5. 
'^ Here sjniiigs the Dove." 

Of the two principal forks which supply the 
channel of the Dove, that which takes the most 
direct line, and passes by the hamlet of Dove- 
head, is here selected as the true source of the 
river. For the head of the other fork, M'hich 
lies upon Brand-side, it has been urged, that it 
yields a greater current, originates higher up the 
mountain, and passing through wilder moorlands, 
has its course more diversified with picturesque 
water-breaks and falls. But these considerations 
ought not to outweigh the authority that supports 
the legitimacy of the other stream. The large 



78 NOTES. 

map of the County of Stafford published in 1820, 
by Messrs. Greenwood and Co., from actual 
survey, makes the line of the Dove to com- 
mence at the road leading from Buxton to Leek, 
upon the point where the Counties of Stafford and 
Derby divide; and in this place, a small well, 
situate only about twenty yards below a cottage 
on the road-side which it supplies with water, 
and a quarter of a mile above Dove-head, was 
pointed out to the writer, as the commence- 
ment of the river. The account given in 
Walton's Complete Angler, that its source is 
*^ a contemptible fountain, which might almost be 
covered by a hat," literally describes this place, 
now protected by a small covering stone. But 
the most conclusive argument, is the circum- 
stance, that the hamlet of Dove-head is situate 
upon the border of this stream ; v/hereas the other 
does not approach the direct channel, till about a 
mile below the hamlet, where it enters the Dove, 
ahuost at a right angle with its course. 



OCCASIONAL PIECES, 

&c. 



OCCASIONAL PIECES. 



LINES, PRESENTED TO 



ON THE MORNING OF VALENTINE DAY, 1802, 
BY A LITTLE BOY. 



PROLOGUE. 



To You, who when my Father droop'd 

Depress'd by wan Disease, 
With pitying aid benignant stoop*d 

To pour the balm of ease ; 

Who when the cheerful looks of health 

Relum'd his faded eye, 
Prov'd by a smile more dear than wealth. 

That Ye partook his joy ; 



82 OCCASIONAL PIECES. 

To YoUj this Valentine I bring : 

Of little worth I guess ; 
Yet though a trivial childish thing, 

Ye'll not esteem it less, — 

While, by my grateful Parents taught, 

I offer my best store ; 
Could I reward you as I ought, 

I would, I would do more. 



'TwAS when Creation, newly bom, 
Awak'd in smiles the roseate morn. 
That little Cupid took his round 
Along her sweetest garden-ground. 
The sun whose rising brightness shrouds 
Its glory in the orient clouds ; 
And earth adorn'd in bridal dress. 
Fair as virgin loveliness ; 
All the countless beasts that trod 
Processive o'er her velvet sod ; 



OCCASIONAL PIECES. 83 

And every bird that perch'd above. 
Sung of hymeneal love ; 
Ev'ry flower that from beneath 
Did her spikenard kisses breathe ; 
As their plighted troth they told. 
He danc'd with rapture to behold ; 
And, mindless of his heav'nly birth, 
Resolv'd thenceforth to dwell on earth. 
But when amidst this Paradise 
The form of woman met his eyes. 
The lovely form so fair imprest 
Her image on his silent breast. 
All tribes that he before had known 
Were by her presence far outshone ; 
With graceful step she seem'd to move. 
The queen of Beauty and of Love. 
Awhile entranc'd in rapturous mood 
With folded wings the stripling stood ; 
At length, perplex'd he gaz*d around. 
And trickling tears bedew'd the ground. 



84 OCCASIONAL PIECES. 

He saw no creature fit to mate 

With one of her divine estate^, 

And straight prepar'd to search the sky ; 

When from a jessamine arbour nigh, 

A form of high majestic mien 

Approaching, hail'd the beauteous queen. 
His nobler port, and youthful prime. 
His manly voice, and eye sublime. 
Whence beam'd the energies of mind, 
Bespake him of superior kind. 
Worthy her heart's true love to gain. 
The bride and partner of his reign. 
Struck with the glorious sight in view. 
And all the joys which fancy drew 
Of inexpressive nuptial love, 
Untasted in the realms above, 
(That blessing of unvalued price. 
Which makes earth still a paradise) 
Sweet Cupid cry'd, " no more I ask ; 
Henceforth be mine the pleasing task. 



OCCASIONAL PIECES. 85 

My spells, my arts, my arms t' employ 
Devote to hymeneal joy. 
And ever as returning Spring 
Salutes her flowers on dewy wing, 
While Nature owns her genial sway. 
They too, my influence shall obey. 
They too the soft alarms sliall prove. 
The transports and the fears of Love." 

But when, allur'd by fatal wiles, 
Man forfeited his Maker's smiles. 
And by his just decree was driven 
From forth this fair terrestial heaven ; 
While each bright visitant forsook 
The drooping bowers with pitying look ; 
Cupid, ere yet he soar'd above. 
Soft breath'd this fond adieu of love : 
'' Go, hapless Pair ! yet not forlorn ; — 
Know, in each Child that shall be born. 
Another Cupid you shall see. 
In form and feature like to me. 

H 



86 OCCASIONAL PIECES. 

The playful nurslings, with sweet guile^ 

Shall win your sorrows to a smile ; 

And when amid your blooming boys 

Again you taste departed joys. 

Each fair beholder, too, shall find. 

Though I am gone, my darts remain behind r 



LINES WRITTEN IN COMMEMORATION OF A CHILD 
WHO WAS BORN APRIL 1, 1801, AND DIED 
OF SCARLET FEVER, SEPTEMBER 25, 1802, 

Soul of Sensibility ! 

Mortal man's celestial guest. 
Human nature owes to thee 

Feelings not to be express'd. 

If this secret solitude 

Be a temple fit for thee. 
Come, in thy divinest mood 

Touch the chords of sympathy. 



OCCASIONAL PIECES. 87 

Once with fond hopes I survey'd 

Life's fair garden as it smiled. 
Now in Death's oblivious shade 

Sleeps its sweetest flower — my child. 

Yet shall memory love to dwell 

On those moments rich in joy. 
When in this secluded dell 

I enjoy 'd my beauteous boy. 

Lightly o'er the summer heaven 

Danced the rosy-pinion*d hours. 
Earth partook the blessings given, 

'Twas the gala of her flowers. 

When within this dell reclined. 

And my Sarah seated nigh. 
Love to rapture raised my mind. 

As I gazed on each fair boy. 



88 OCCASIONAL PIECES. 

Ecich, endued with winning charms, 
Own'd his mother's sweet control ; 

But she fondled in her arms, 
John, the darling of her soul. 

Tell me, Sarah, what you felt 
As you bending stoop'd to sip 

Richest nectar that did melt 
From your infant's cherub-lip ! 

Sure such pleasure thrill'd each sense 
From that fond exstatic kiss. 

Such as Eve in innocence 

Drank amid the bowers of bliss. 

What soft sigh is that ascends 

Breathing sweet of fruit and flower ? 

o 

'Tis the spirit that descends 
At the evening's vesper hour. 



OCCASIONAL PIECES. 89 

Native of a purer clime. 

Where eternal pleasures dwell. 
Didst thou sigh to think that time 

Soon my fondest hopes would quell ? 

Soon, alas, the morning rose 

That beheld those hopes laid low : 

As her heavy eyes unclose 
Bitter tears began to flow. 

Ah, my soul, forbear to trace 

Sorrow's sympathetic tale ; 
Trembling nature wraps her face 

Dark as winter's cloudy veil. 

Rather bid thy thoughts aspire 

Up to the bright Heaven above, 
Wing'd by faith and strong desire 

There to meet the child we love. 



90 OCCASIONAL PIECES. 

Glorious shines his countenance^ 
Now in bright beatitude ; 

Where the infant choir's response 
Softly breathes in interlude. 

Bow we then to his high will. 
Author of the gracious plan. 
Which absorbs each transient ill 



In the final good of man. 



Yet at meditation's hour 

Oft will Memory pensive turn. 

Tears of joy and grief to pour 
Over her beloved's urn, 

April 1, 1803, 



ODE. 9 1 



ODE TO LIBERTY. 



1. 



How shall the wildly-roliing chords 
Be touch'd to wake the solemn words 
That mingle where the Muses nine 
Surround, O Liberty, 
Spirit dear to Poesy, 
With censers incense-fill'd thy cloud-girt shrine ! 
When first Aurora of the skies 
Unclosed to light her heavenly eyes. 
What time the morning stars among. 

In notes that heav'nward died away. 
Soft and more soft was heard the song 
Thathail'd creation's natal day; 
Then o'er the solitary mountains bounding. 
And the bright vales, deep seas, and shores resounding. 
With joy thou travei-sedst the mighty globe. 
Winds waves thy wings, and azure light thy robe. 



92 ODE. 



2. 



But first and chief thy presence bless'd 
One favor'd spot above the rest. 
Where groves such towering pomp unfurl'd 
As spake in majesty 
Nature was inspired by Thee, 
The while she form'd this garden of the world ; 
And here, tliough sweet the fountain rills. 
And voice of torrents from the hills. 
And forests waving as in dance, 

(Music that aye delights thine ear) 
Yet wert thou rapt in holier trance. 
The sweeter voice of man to hear. 
And oft at morn or eve, when round his dwelling. 
In seraph tones eolian breezes swelling 
Mix'd with his orisons, — thy music bold. 
Before the thunder was, in chorus roU'd. 



Not in bright armour helmet crown'd. 
With martial tread that shook the ground. 



ODE. 93 

O Freedom ! didst thou then appear. 
Vh-tue and innocence 
Needed not the dread defence 
Of thy thick-bossed shield and lightening spear. 
Alas ! too soon arrived the hour 
That heard the groans which haughty power 
Extorted from the people's soul. 
Yet many a deed by thee inspired. 

Shall shine on fame's immortal roll. 
Through every patriot age admired ; 
And tell how impious foes in pride assembled. 
At thy far-echoing voice have fled and trembled. 
When its loud call has changed the people's groans 
To sounds that fearful rock'd their tyrant's thrones. 

4. 
Proud Babylon's desert-wandering ghost. 
And Egypt sitting in the dust. 
Remember well their evil day. 

Fire from the altar given. 
Holy, such as burns in heaven. 
Touched the lips that sung the victor-lay. 



94 ODE. 

They sung how in the sacred cause 

Of Liberty and heaven-tavight laws 

The God of heaven revealed his might : 

Cloud darken'd, amid pillar'd fire 
That flash'd intolerable light. 

He came : — Then felt the foes his ire : 
Back fled their chariots dash'd in dire commotion ; 
He gave the sign, and o'er them roll'd the ocean ! 
Thus Egypt's vaunted triumphs closed their date. 
Nor Babylon received a milder fate. 



Ift-ael's tents, and Greece, and Rome, 
Sweet Liberty thou mad'st thy home, 
And last, Britannia's isle. 

O source of virtues bold. 
Spirit of the days of old ! 
Still mid the threatening storm impart thy smile. 
Ev'n now the winds that sweep our shores. 
Are burthen'd with the fiend-like roars 



ODE. 95 

Of man by impious passions toriji. 
For mad ambition, drunk with blood. 

Rage, hatred, envy, baffled scorn. 
And murder, toss'd in direful mood. 
Fierce o'er the embattled armies clang their pinions. 
And point their hopes to these thy own dominions.— 
Stand forth ! strong as the waves that round thee sweep. 
And launch thy thunders o'er the angry deep. 
6. 
But oh, by every patriot prayer 
Preferr'd to Him not slow to hear. 
When death and instant danger frown'd; 
By all the martyr'd dead ; 
By the blood of heroes shed, 
Moum'd by their orphan'd country weeping round ; 
And by the tears that dimm'd thine eyes 
When cherubs barr'd the gates of Paradise ; 

O holy Freedom, teach the land 
Where open as the boundless heaven 

Religion's temples stand. 
One day is holy of the seven; 



96 ODE. 

Then seek in hallo w'd worsliip meek and lowly. 
His aid who turneth human power to folly ; 
He grasps the winds, and walketh on the sea. 
And in his favor only lives true liberty, 

1804. 



MATLOCK BATH. 



A FRAGMENT. 



Not yet the giant sun had rear'd 
From earth his flamy brow ; 

Upon their watch the stars appear'd. 
But were retiring now. 

For lo the curtains of the night 
By twilight thrown apart. 

The opening hues of orient light 
Had w arn'd tliem to depart. 



ODE. 97 

Thus broke the day, which ere It closed 

Again in shades of even ; 
Matlock ! I saw thy vale reposed 

Beneath a beauteous heaven. 



Sweet place ! where oft hath echo flung 

From rock to rock the lays 
By many a wandering stranger sung, 

Enamour'd of thy praise. 

Fain would I to thy cavern'd hills. 
And health-reviving springs, 

Express the ardent joy that fills 
And gives my spirit wings. 

When in the court of Solomon 
The queen of Sheba bow'd. 

The majesty that round him shone 
She saw, and cried aloud : 



98 INSCRIPTIONS. 

Thy wisdom and thy might, O king ! 

Loud fame afar hath told ; 
But not the just report could bring 

Of half what I behold! 

So, when of river, rock, and wood, 

I heard, a gladness came ; 
But when amid those scenes I stood, 
'Twas rapture fill'd my frame ! 



INSCRIPTIONS. 



ON A STATUE REMOVED FROM ANOTHER GARDEN 
TO ITS PRESENT SITUATION. 

Ask not my name, but when thou ^rt informed 
Of my past fate, thyself, belike, may'st find 
A moral more appropriate than name. 
I stood within another garden once ; 



INSCRIPTIONS. 99 

And when the widow'd lady of the scene 

Contracted for my sale ; in serious mood. 

Like as was Abraham's when he bought the cave 

Of Machpelah, she made the contract. Death, 

That had bereav'd him of his Sarah, her 

Of a fond husband and an only son. 

Was hungry still for prey, — was lurking then 

Behind my form in ambush. Workmen came, — 

With tools they shook my fabric started forth 

His dread life-quelling dart — and at my feet 

She sank a piteous corpse. Had I attained 

This human shape in ancient times, when men 

Bow'd down to stocks and stones, attributing 

To them intelligence and godlike power. 

They would with superstitious reverence. 

As the dread punisher of sacrilege. 

Have v/orshipp'd me. And even now I stand 

A silent monitor upon the watch ; 

Stand watching Thou ! twice mortal is that dart. 

Unless re^^ved upon the shield of faith. 



100 INSCRIPTIONS. 



ON A THUNDEU-StRlCKEN TREE SITUATE AMIDST 
THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY OF A PLEASURE 
GROUND. 



Stranger ! and does this barren leafless Tree 
Arrest thine eye^ with wonder fill'd, to see. 
Amidst the pomp of foliage blooming round. 
One blasted Trunk that cumbers but the ground. 
The genial earth, kind air, and sun, and showers. 
Spend here in vain their fructifying powers ; 
Still, like a spectre, hollow, dark, and bare. 
Its stiffen'd form appears. — Mortal, beware ! 
If on thy heart, unfruitful, cold, and dead. 
The fostering dews of heaven in vain are shed ; 
If in thy soul no christian graces shine. 
Nor fruits of faith and piety be thine. 
Sinner, beware ! thy spirit else may roam 
A blasted spectre in the world to come. 

1810. 



INSCRIPTIONS. 101 



ON A STATUE. 

Beneath the strata of incumbent rock 
This form once lay, a rugged shapeless block ; 
Now by the sculptor wrought, its lines vmfold 
The human figure in its softest mould. 
So man, by nature rude and clogg'd with sin. 
When he receives the life of faith within. 
Is byjthat quickening principle restored 
Into the glorious image of his Lord. 

1810. 



SONNETS. 



TO S. T. COLERIDGE, ESQ. 

Coleridge, when in a distant purer age 

Posterity shall yield thee all thy fame. 
What character or title on the page 

Of genius will recal to mind thy name ? 
Shall thy own Sara, from the realms above. 

Sweetly descend in beatific dream. 

And lead the espoused virgins where the stream 
Of poesy flows breathing hallow'd love ? 
Yes, she will come ! yet ev'n the bright award. 
That hails thee Nuptial Love's chaste peerless Bard, 

Of higher tones is but the interlude : — 
Poet of Freedom ! in the walks of light. 
This greeting shall a deeper joy excite. 

Given by the suffrage of the Wise and Good ! 

August, 1804. 



SONNETS. 103 



TO JOANNA SOPHIA LISTER.* 



Revered Aunt^ as sure by me thou art ! 
Accept in love, and pardon that I seek 
The softer tones of verse, in which to speak 

That full affection which o'erflows my heart. 

At sight of Thee what recollections start 

Of One even dearer than thyself ; who when 

I nought received but slight from other men. 
Delighted his best blessings to impart. 

O yes, he lov'd me much ! and though since then 
Long years have sped, these tears upon my cheek 
Bear witness, that impression was not weak 

Which on my soul is now renew'd again. 

Let from the censer of my heart be given 

Incense of gratitude to Thee and heaven, 

September 1, 1804. 



• Relict of the writer's maternal uscle, the Rev. C. Ljster, who Uied in the 
Missionary service at Jamaica. 



104 SONNETS. 



TO APRIL. 



Welcome, fair April, breaking from the gloom 
Of dreary Winter, like the gracious dawn, 
That, as the nightly shadows are withdrawn. 
Tint after tint puts on its heavenly bloom. 
Thy tender hues the meadows now assume ; 
The lively lark^ more wakeful than the fawn 
Whose early foot imprints the dewy lawn. 
Salutes thee, soaring high on sunny plume ; 
And wood birds join in wild accompaniment. 
Singing, mid buds and flowers of sweetest scent. 
And opening blossoms, earliest of the year. 
Stay, lovely vision, still my spirit cheer !— 
But thou, sweet Month, on change art ever bent ; 
Thy dripping wings will rest not in our sphere. 

April 7, 1819. 



SONNETS. 105 



EASTER. 

I SAW the beauty of the year laid low : 

Autumnal winds from mountain, rock, and cave. 

Its dirge in melancholy echoes gave. 

And Winter came and piled its tomb of snow. 

Man. too, to his appointed place must go : 

Strength, riches, valor, wisdom, cannot save ; 

The noblest form is destined to the grave. 

But, O ye heavens, with gratulation glow ! 

And let the perish'd seasons of the year 

Return in pristine loveliness and bloom. 

With hope and gladness. Lo, the time draws near 

Of Man's redemption from his mortal doom : 

The trumpet of the festival we hear. 

That hails Messiah trampling on the tomb ! 

April 15, 1819. 



1 06 SONNETS. 



COMPOSED ON PASSING BY THE CLOUD HILL 
NEAR MACCLESFIELD. 

The sun has set, — ^but his most glowing rays 
Still hover round the west, as loth to leave 
This beauteous hemisphere to shadowy eve, 
Precurser of the night. Yet eve displays 
With grander sweep the mountains ; and our gaze, 
Strengthen'd by darkness, can at night perceive 
How the bright constellations interweave 
Their starry diagrams — a mystic maze ! 
Shine forth, ye heavenly orbs, as in your prime ! 
Through your majestic circles as ye roll. 
Measuring by constant change the lapse of time. 
From world to world o'er all in thought I climb. 

There worship Him whose fiat made the whole 

The great I AM, omnipotent and sole ! 

August 19, 1819. 



SONNETS. 107 



ON THE ERECTION OF DARLEY CHURCH. 



What spirit breath'd the happy thought 
Whose process, holding on through word and act. 
By genius guided, and with skill compact. 
This beauteous Church into existence brought ? 
Hath not the Holy One of Israel wrought 
His purpose, Evans ? when the people lack'd 
Of heavenly knowledge, bidding thee attract 
Their wandering footsteps hither, to be taught 
The Word of Life ! Thine is this work of love : 
And oft as each returning sabbath brings 
The Christian flock to learn of holy things. 
Here may the gracious Power, that from above 
Descended once in likeness of a Dove, 
O'er Thee and Them extend his sheltering wings. 

November, 1820. 



108 SONNETS. 



ON THE FALL OF DARLEV GROVE. 

Fallen Is the pleasant Grove that on the bank 

Of Derwent in surpassing beauty stood ; 

Its stately trees transform'd to logs of wood ; 

And that wild slope, so lively with each prank 

Of playful childhood, is become a blank 

Cheerless and desolate as widowhood. 

Yet mourn not ! — Still the imperishable flood 

Rolls on its generous waters, even more frank 

Than when with pendent branches overhung : 

Still are the ancient echoes clearly heard. 

Like voices from beyond the river flung : 

And lingers here yet many a singing bird. 

Whose notes have charm'd me while soft breezes stirr'd 

The nests that in the tree tops lightly swung. 

N0VE3IBER, 1820. 



APPENDIX. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following pieces are inserted as an Appendix, partly 
because they have already obtained a local circulation — 
having been written for the use of the late William Smith, 
who for nearly thirty years, travelled every week from 
Derby to Sheffield, with the Newspapers for that district — 
but more especially on account of their inferiority, their 
unevenness of stile, and the mixture of levity introduced 
to suit the purpose for which they were originally written. 
Taken, however, as a light sketch of the eventful times to 
which they apply, it is hoped they will not be unacceptable. 



THE 
NEWSMAN'S CHRISTMAS 

ADDRESSES. 



ADDRESS FOR 1802. 



Hush'd is the British lion's dreadful roar; 
The trumpet's echoing blast resounds no more ; 
Earth, on her strong foundations now is stay'd. 
Nor rocks beneath the thundering cannonade : 
Yet, while the brazen tongue of war is bound. 
Say, shall the Newsman's horn, too, cease to sound ? 
Though the proud horse for blood no longer neigh^ 
Is then his harmless ass forbid to bray ? 
No, these are tones, that, heard in daylight clear. 
Or loudly breaking on " the Night's dull ear," 
Are sweet as is the voice of Handel's muse 
To every Englishman who reads the news. 
And chorusses resembling this in kind. 
Though not like this adapted for the mind. 



1 12 ADDRESSES. 

Upon the forenoon of a christmas day. 
From ovens, pans, kettles, spits, are heard to play : 
Where, as the beef revolves before the fire. 
Sweet-sounding notes in clouds of steam transpire; 
While duly answering in responsive stave. 
The dumpling roars from out the boiling wave ; 
And pies and puddings, murmuring at the heat. 
Fill up the prelude of a noble treat. 

Perhaps to such occasions 'tis, we owe 
The most expert invention mortals know. 
Some wanderer from his mountains bleak and bare. 
Returning charm'd with musicals so rare ; 
Strain'd every nerve and faculty of mind, 
A clever substitute in hopes to find. 
Whereby his Highland countrymen might guess 
The glorious things that he could not express : 
Then, whilst with wondering gaze they throng'd around. 
Forth burst aloud the bagpipes' noble sound ; 
And apt and full similitude convey'd. 
As through the maze of harmony it stray'd ; 
Now squeaking like hot dinners, and anon. 
Bubbling like bottles ere the ale is gone ; 
While snug within the bag beneath his arm. 
The growling bass winds up the tuneful charm. 

A piper from the Highland hills I'm not ; 
To be the County Newsman was my lot : 
And who, that loves the social christmas rites. 
That in the welfare of mankind delights. 
But would awhile incline a gracious ear, 
My favorite yearly orisons to hear, 



ADDRESSES. 113 

Chanted in rhymes delectable and full. 
To the great praise and glory of John Bull. 
Let none my pleasant minstrelsy despise. 
Or deem me little in their lofty eyes : 
Know that the court whose errands I fulfil. 
Is fix'd like Jove's, upon the olympian hill ; 
And, ever as the restless globe turns round. 
Regards attentively the murmuring sound ; 
Arrests the fleet sensations of each hour ; 
Selects, combines, and moulds with plastic pow'r ; 
'Till forth in Mercury's form the vision springs. 
With paper brains, and asses ears for wings. 

Now Mercury was wondrous wise when young. 
And age has certainly improv'd his tongue ; 
Especially, whene'er he undertakes 
To recommend a med'cine for our sakes. 
And though sometimes his zeal for public good. 
Prompts him to say more than, perhaps, he should ; 
Yet many a speech of his, if I had time. 
Should be most worthily set forth in rhyme. 
This task I mean to enter on, as soon 
As I shall travel in an air balloon ; 
A new machine, which lately has bid fair 
To make the waggoners and coachmen stare. 
Then with more dignity than monarchs march, 
Thron'd on the evening rain-bow's topmost arch. 
With trumpets' rolling voice, in cadence loud, 
I'll speak my mandates to the gazing crowd ; 
Or, if along the milky- way I'm driven. 
Despatch them down by parachutes from heaven : 



114 ADDRESSES. 

Except at christmas, when, for him that begs. 
It may be full as well to use his legs. 

But hush ! I must not hint at this I trow. 
Until you first have seen my raree-show. 
Tol dol de de rol, it is time to begin ; 
Now ladies and gentlemen please to walk in : 

The first, is a sight which I cannot call new ; 
The popes expos'd somethmg much like it to view ; 
When with obstinate zeal, they would prove it to odds. 
As infallibly certain, that wafers were gods : 
'Tis a young legislator, who stoutly maintains. 
That a Frenchman has liberty while he's in chains ; 
That his laws promote freedom, his honor he'll plight ; 
And if meant for himself, you must own he is right. 

The next, is a group of spruce monkeys, at work 
To polish a tiger, who looks like a Turk, 
But was suckled and bred in a Corsican wood, 
'Till he snufF'd from afar the hot smoking of blood. 
To make him a hero, they scrub and they scour ; 
But the scar on his crest is too deep for their power : 
That scar he receiv'd on the memorable day. 
When he sneak'd from the lion of Britain away ; 
Indelibly fix'd, it is sure to remain ; 
And scrubbing and scouring are labour in vain. 

Now mark yonder eagle whose plumes hang unfurl'd; 
She's an image of empire that once rul'd the world : 
Who sighs not to see her despoil'd in the mud ; 
Yet nobly resisting the vampires of blood ? 

Again, where yon mountains on mountains are pil'd : 
Where Freedom for ages on ages has smil'd 



ADDRESSES. 1 15 

What heart but Indignantly groans to behold^ 

Her heroic sons by the tyrant controll'd. 

Yetj a few seasons passed, they, spurning his ties, 

" Disdainful of danger" in might shall arise : 

To the blast of the whirlwind that ruffles their locks. 

Shall the standard of freedom be rear'd on the rocks ; 

Yea, the hour is approaching, and sealed in heaven, 

When oppression for ever from earth shall be driven. 

Already some tokens of respite there are ; 
I meant to have shown you a Muscovy bear. 
But the caitiff has giv'n me the slip, as I find. 
And 'tis so much the better, I know for mankind. 

Well, you've seen all the shew, and I've nought to say 
more. 
But intreat you'll attend to the man at the door : 
He's a good honest fellow, but indeed, worthy folks. 
You know that he can't fill his belly with jokes ; 
If you will but contribute to plump up his purse, 
'Twill please him much better than praising his verse. 
His family '11 be grateful for what you bestow ; '\ 

And as for the old man ^but my feelings o'erflow, > 

Let him speak for himself, he is waiting below. 3 



116 ADDRESSES. 



ADDRESS FOR 1803. 

Hail, ixierry chrlstinaS;, queen of cooking ! 
For thee I've been a good while looking ; 
While memory fondly has presented 
Thy puddings with plums ornamented. 
Thy pies, that cleanly Susan minces 
So nice and neat they're fit for princes. 
And beef the pride of all the dinner. 
That fattens us, while it grows thinner. 
But more than all thy jovial cheer, 
Refresh'd with stout October beer, 
AVliat most my memory bewitches 
Is, that thou art a time of riches ; 
When charity, that never lingers. 
Put in her purse her angel fingers. 
And lets those jewels see the day. 
That frighten want, the dun, away. 
Then, merry christmas, hail ! I love thee. 
And hope as kind as erst to prove thee. 

Your poets generally follow 
Some of the sisters of Apollo, 
Intreating them to show their pity. 
And give a blessing on their ditty : 
And now that likewise verse my trade is, 
I ought to ask these maiden ladies. 
While I am quavering with my pen. 
To put a word in now and then. 



ADDKESSES. I 1 7 

But lack-a-day, here's Mr. Bull 
Of business lately's been so full. 
What with his rude and noisy clamours. 
They could not hear a man that stammers ; 
So I refrain from interfering, 
And take another method herein. 

Not those immortal rose-lip'd lasses 
That live upon the hill Parnassus, 
But a good kitchen with a fire in. 
The company with warmth inspiring ; 
And cups with christmas ale o'erflowing 
That soon sets every tongue a going, 
These in each house where'er I trudge it. 
Will make the Newsman ope his budget; 
When, as the straps he quickly sunders. 
Out flies his catalogue of wonders ; 
Of crosses, losses, taxes, tales. 
And every rumour that prevails. 

Full fifty times, your honors, is it. 
That I have duly paid my visit 
To* acquaint you with the state of Europe, 
Since last I try'd my wit to stir up. 
When as a begging poet-monger, 
I screw'd my visage somewhat longer ; 
And now I hope, as the time lengthens. 
It will be found that my cause strengthens. 

The weather favors my old bones 
No better than the trodden stones ; 
Yet like tlie stones they've never flinched, 
Wiietlier with cold severely pinched 

K 



i IS ADDRESSES. 

When through the drifted snows I've toil'd. 
Or when in summer-time half broil'd ; 
Still to ray task resolv'd to stick, 
I've even travelled when sick. 
For why ? — One reason amongst many, 
(That suits me now the best of any) 
I'll give, which to the truth is nigh on : 
You know that John Bull keeps a lion ; 
Now Buonaparte, a pilfering savage. 
Who lately has made bold to ravage 
And ransack Europe's finest countries. 
Persisting still in his effrontries. 
Had laid a plain in hopes of trapping 
This dreadful animal while napping ; 
But when he thought all safe, good lack. 
And try'd to mount upon his back, 
Up sprang the lion with a roar. 
So loud was never yell'd before ; 
Back shrunk the villain from his clutches ; 
His heart already in his br lies. 

All the particulars of this story. 
And how the lion in his glory 
Lashes his bushy tail, and shakes 
His shaggy mane till Boney quakes. 
All this good news my friends to tell ye. 
Would I not trudge whate'er befel me. 

You've heard of Madam Boney's longing 
To have this little spot belonging 
Herself, and planted with cow-cabbage. 
Women sometimes do long for garbage. 



ADDRESSES. 1 19 

And this affair will not surprise you ; 
Especially when I advertise you 
Her husband has, to keep him quiet, 
Been treated with a certain diet 
Made up in cakes the French call loans. 
Or he'd be breaking people's bones. 

Our islands in the west he meant 
For sugar basins, and had sent 
His brother for them to Domingo, 
But there he learnt another lingo. 
Then Malta dazzled both his eyes. 
As being of a proper size* 
To make a noble tea-pot, and 
With our fine teas so near at hand. 
Where like a dog he meant to worry t 
But being rather in a hurry. 
He miss'd the handle for the spout. 
And scalding water straight came out ; 
So quit his hold his fingers danghng. 
And wish'd the English all a hanging. 

But stop a little, master Boney ; 
You've had a lick of Canaan's honey. 
Yet even you did leave the hive. 
Right glad to get away alive. 
But let us catch you here a shopping. 
We'll have that hat from off your toppin ;t 
Then see if e'er a Briton flinches 
A fellow not five feet six inches. 

• Malta was intended to be a depot for the merchandise of the e.ost. 

t The hat is often a prominent article in the caricatures of that period, particu 
laxly in one which represents John Bull and Buonaparte, under the siniilitiide <t 
the oak and mushroom. 



1-20 ADDRESSES. 

I'll mount ray ass, and sound my horn. 
For since the day John Bull was born. 
None ever blazon'd forth a story 
So much redounding to his glory. 
While yet a lad in petticoats,* 
He met the Spaniards in his boats. 
And fearing nought their vain bravado. 
Beat their invincible armada ; 
Yet this, and all that has appear'd 
Since he's been honor'd with a beard. 
Are to his present fame not equal : 
And well I trust that by the sequel 
He'll show, that not in vain his limbs are 
Supported by good belly timber. 

But this must be the copious text 
That shall be handled in my next ; 
For now, I feel a certain longing 
To tell you why I brought this song in. 
Yet to repeat again the reason 
That brings me here each christmas season, 
Although I did it in a mood 
Expressive of my gratitude. 
Perhaps, good sirs, you wish to' excuse. 
Already weary of a muse. 
That only pours out frothy banter. 
Like porter from a wine decanter : 
Well, I'll leave off, if you think proper; 
There's nothing like a silver stopper. 

• " In the days of good queen Bess." 



ADDRESSES. 121 



ADDRESS FOR 1805. 



With glorious news the country rings i 
And now that merry christmas brings 
Your faithful Newsman to your door. 
With his address, as heretofore ; 
Perhaps you're looking while he speaks. 
To see a pair of Dutchman's cheeks 
Fresh borrow'd, and a bushy wig. 
To suit his bouncing words so big. 
Telling with proper pomp the wonders 
Achiev'd by Britain's naval thunders. 

But no your patience I beseech ; 

For I have luckily a speech. 
Which wiser heads affinn in troth. 
Proceeded from the sov'reign mouth 
Of Napoleon, emperor-elf 
Of the great nation, who himself. 
His head just peeping o'er his horse, 
Pronounc'd it loud, in accents coarse. 
(And of its merits general Mack 
Was so convinc'd, that he kept back 
The Austrian troops to hear it spoken ; 
I therefore judge, from this same token. 
It must than mine be mickle finer ; 
I assure you, sirs, it is a shiner.) 

" Austrian pris'ners ! (for we deign to speak 
Thus condescendingly, in that we seek 



122 ADDRESSES. 

Your minds t* enlighten,) we were much surprised 

Our brother Francis was so ill-advis'd. 

As to make demonstrations of his troops. 

When such procedure here rekictant coops 

My army of the ocean ; — unaton'd. 

Those crimes with which six centuries have groan'd. 

Have we not pledg'd ourself, for now three years. 

That the first wind which favorably veers. 

Or the first fog, or first dark winter night. 

Or summer day of long-enduring light. 

Our grand flotilla should go forth, and sweep 

From imder heav'n those tyrants of the deep. 

The hated English ? And shall Caesar's word 

Fall unaccomplish'd, and our lifted sword 

Turn not in wrath on the intruding foe ? — 

Ev'n on the instant vengeance speeds the blow ; 

And long yon haughty islanders shall wait. 

Ere ye recover from this day of fate. 

But why this rashness? While your sov'reign thwarts 

Our hate to England, tell him, he departs 

From his true int'rest, lavishing your blood 

For strangers, reckless of his country's good. 

Think you we are ambitious ? — Not t' enthral 

Your pigmy empires, fated soon to fall ; 

No ; my good city of Paris not expects 

From the great genius whose high will directs 

The destinies of France, such little aims ; 

No, gentlemen, a nobler zeal inflames 

To loftier capabilities our breast : 

I am the anointed emperor of the west ; 



ADDRESSES. 123 

Tliere stands my throne, and there ourself shall found 
An endless dynasty ; while hov'ring round. 
The Latian eagles, from the sceptred Ime 
Of Charlemagne, shall stoop to shadow mine. 

And yet although I shook with my renown 

This continent; and were my iron crown 

O'er all its kings exalted ; still my soul 

Would pant at distance from ambition's goal, 

England unconquer'd ! That's the spectred dream 

Which nightly haunts my coucli ; and 1 would teem 

In rivulets the blood of France, if so, 

I might destroy this one unconquer'd foe. 

Star of my fortune ! give me to behold 

Yon island by my sceptred hand controU'd : 

Ships, colonies, and commerce, let the sea 

Bear on its bosom, and alone for me !" 

A very modest speech indeed ! 
Yet some correction it may need. 
Now that he knows a British tar. 
Has us'd the snuffers to his star. 
Ships, colonies, and commerce, eh ? 
He says he wants ? But well-a-day ! 
He should have kept those wishes in, 
Till Villeneuve's grand bulletin. 
In letters of a ghastly size. 
Had bolted on his startling eyes. 
Ah, what avails it that Vienna, 
Its gates set open to him, when a 
Most dismal and distracted tale. 
Informs him twenty gallant sail. 



] 24 ADDRESSES. 

Are down the locker sent to davy. 
Or dragg'd at tail o'th' English navy. 
O ye ambassadors ! keep off him ; 
Unless you're bone enough to cuff him ; 
For he will storm, and stamp, and strut,— 
Goliah's mouth, or mammoth's foot. 
Would not betoken half the passion 
That boils in him on this occasion. 

But let him rage, and rant, and fights, 
And still let Talleyrand indite 
Philippics for the ear of kings ; — 
With glorious news our country rings ; 
Ye Gallic puppet shews, away ! 
To Nelson's name I tune the lay. 
Yet fancy's brightest w^ords are dim. 
Attempting the high praise of him. 
Whose matchless prowess has excell'd 
Whate'er the rolling sun beheld. 
Since first he rose with ruddy smiles 
From ocean o'er the queen of isles ; 
Since first her hand, with righteous reign, 
Assum'd the sceptre of the main. 
Blake, Rooke, and Rodney, Hawke, and Howe, 
To mightier Nelson deign to bow. 
Whose prouder flag, where'er unfurl'd, 
Superior swept the wat'ry world. 
Go, ask of him, where Vincent's steep 
Controls the surges of the deep. 
Or at the sev'nfold gates of Nile, 
Or in the Baltic's dark defile. 



ADDRESSES. 125 

Or seize the winged winds, and steer 

Far to the western hemisphere ; 

But there thou need'st not ask his fame. 

There grateful islands shout the name. 

Before whose terror fled amain 

The boasted fleets of France and Spain. 

What though the chief, so fast they fled. 

Half the round globe encompassed. 

While still their straining sails elude 

His foaming vessels that pursued ! 

Soon were they doom'd in blood to weep ; 

Soon, dire destruction shook the deep. 

When death's dark trump, with dreadful roll, 

Call'd on the mighty Nelson's soul. 

Longer on earth forbid to live. 

Where fame had nothing more to give ! 

Ah, mighty hero ! round thy bier. 

While gather'd nations shed the tear ; 

While proudest obsequies await 

To shrine thy dust in glorious state ; 

Ere the deep drum, and muffled bell. 

Have bidden thee a long farewell ! 

Ere the last cannons' awful sound 

Has shook the consecrated ground ; 

May'st thou with smiles observe, thy name, 

Ev'n in this lay of humble fame, 

Befriends the wishes of the bard. 

Gains him "a bountiful reward — 

Yes, Nelson's name in his address. 

Your Newsman cannot want success. 



1 26 ADDRESSES. 



ADDRESS FOR I8O6. 

While o'er the continent insatiate war. 

Spreads like a roaring deluge, wide and far ; 

And every tale of each returning scout. 

Is " ruin upon ruin, rout on rout ;" 

Charg'd with these tidings, and what fame resounds 

Of British prowess, through the world's wide bounds ; 

What prophecy declar'd in days of old. 

Whose mystic words these latter days unfold j 

And what of weighty argument remains. 

Your wonted gift, that animates my strains ; 

Charg'd with these themes, from place to place I stray— 

Your fiiithful Newsman with his Christmas lay. 

When wandering Homer sung the fall of Troy, 
What mighty labors ten long years employ. 
His song reveal'd : the rich ideas roll. 
Like streams of light that throng around the pole; 
Or clouds, which multitudinous are driven. 
In beauteous volumes o'er the face of heaven. 
But what, immortal Homer ! are thy strains, 
Compar'd with those a bulletin contains ? 
Thy Iliad sinks again into a shell,* 
Abash'd, to hear the modern Frenchman tell. 
All in a breath, of armies breaking way, 
In flying march through countries in a day ; 
Of battles, cities, dukedoms, kingdoms won. 
Arms, armies taken, beauteous queens imdone ; 

* Thii alludes to a manuscript copy of Homer Iliad, said to be compriitd in a 
nut-ihelJ. 



ADDRESSES. 127 

Islands blockaded, without aid of ships, 
By the mere dictum of the emperor's lips ; 
With many a feat those lips alone should speak, 
A century's labors grasp'd into a week ! 

Alas ! and shall we list the vaunts of pride. 
Unheard the victims groaning at his side ? 
Oh, loud the cries of lamentation burst. 
Where Europe mourns with heavy plagues accurst. 
As when at the woe-trumpets' awful blast, 
Down to the earth a star of heaven was cast ; 
From hell's deep pit then locust armies broke ; 
The sun was darken'd with the rising smoke ; 
O'er the green earth they rush'd, on noisy wing. 
Led by ApoUyon, their destroying king : 
So, led by him whose foot with haughty prance. 
Trampled in dust the lily-crown of France, 
His Gallic slaves, the scorpions of the earth, — 
Their moving camps horlzon'd round with dearth, — 
Burst on the nations, breathing dreadful ire. 
And arm'd with pestilence, and sword, and fire : 
Loud up to heaven, where'er they march below. 
In unremitting wails ascends the cry of woe I 
Of tyrant-kings we know, that took by birth, 
Their claim with iron rod to scourge the earth ; 
But this destroyer, who, and whence is he ? 
Has earth disgorg'd him ? or the tossing sea ? 
In the dark strife of whirlwinds was he born ?* 
His dam a dreadful beast, and he the horn. 
The little horn, which stouter than the ten, 
(Ten kingdoms these prefigur'd among men) 

Sse Daniel, chap. VII. verses 'A C, S, a-^Al 24, compare also chap. II., tei»c iO. 



] 28 ADDRESSES. 

Uprooted three, and midst the remnant seven. 

Rose like a tower which threatens war to heaven ? 

Yes, if these prophecies I right unfold. 

In Him's accomplish'd what was then foretold. 

Lo, Italy yields him her iron crown; 

His arm has pluck'd the German eagle down ; 

And slumbering Prussia woke, to see her power, 

Quash'd, as the visions of her dreamy hour. 

Nor fails he still to push his proud career. 

If not to conquer, yet to domineer ; 

Alone the British lion stands at bay. 

And boldly dares him to the mortal fray ; 

That fight the tyrant shuns, blaspheming loud , 

And turns vindictive on the helpless crowd. 

When once his measur'd crimes foam o'er the brim. 
Then dark and heavy, fate will close on him. 
Let future numbers celebrate his fall ; 
Of nearer themes I now obey the call ; 
Where wave Britannia's flags, with laurel bound, 
I haste, to join the praise of the renown'd. 
To Duckworth, victor on the western main ; 
To Stuart, glorious on St. Maida's plain ; 
Whence baffled Regnier slunk, with looks, how changed! 
From him that, scoffing loud, the onset ranged ; 
To Warren, leader of the hero ship. 
That welcom'd Linois from his India trip ; 
To Baird, and Beresford, whose valor gain'd, 
(By gallant Popham from the fleet sustain'd,) 
The cape that looks unto the frozen south. 
And city neighbouring vast La Plata's mouth ; 



ADDRESSES. 129 

To these, with youtliful Hood, their brave compeer. 

And all, unnam'd, Avhose deeds have mark'd the year, 

Victors and conquerors ! while England pays 

The glorious tribute of deserved praise ; 

While clanging peal on peal, the merry bells. 

Mix with the martial music as it swells, 

'Mongst the applausive sounds that roll along. 

One mite bestow'd is mine — the Newsman's song. 

Old Time, who ever working with his scythe. 

Mows out the track, which, be it rough or blithe. 

Mortals must follow — ^may he lead again. 

Where if not olives, laurels shade the plain ; 

Where bread abounds, to satisfy the poor. 

And for the rich an hospitable store ; 

Then when his hour-glass casts the number* d sand. 

That tells, another christmas is at hand. 

Again my voice to music shall be strung. 

And England's glories tremble on my tongue. 

But ah ! my country's glories not alone. 
My country's losses also are my own. 
The stars that long with rival lustre shone. 
Those leading statesmen. Pit, and Fox, are gone ! 
Them we deplore, for through the deep'ning gloom. 
What new arcturus shall our course illume ? 
Assembled senators ! be yours to shine, 
A constellation glorious and benign ; 
Through the dark night of war to light our way, 
'Till peace breaks on us like the morning-ray. 

Adieu, the verse that sweeps on sounding wings ! 
My thought are anxious on the sum of things; 



130 ADDRESSES. 

A candidate for christmas favors now. 
An humble suppliant at your gates I bow. 
Full twenty years your honors have, eachwhile, 
Return'd me glowing with a grateful smile ; 
Again your generous goodness I beseech ; 
Befriend my canvas, and accept my speech ; 
The smallest gift my comforts would increase. 
But let it be a plumper ! if you please. 



ADDRESS FOR 1807- 

Come, listen, fair ladies, and gentlemen brave. 

To the Newsman who sings you at christmas a stave ; 

The wings of his muse like the wings of a goose. 

Eleven months cannot fly, but the twelfth they are loose ; 

Then spurning the ground, with their quarry in view, 

(That quarry's the gift which is given by you) 

They spring like an eagle that soars to the noon. 

And scarcely are stopp'd by the man in the moon. 

Then listen fair ladies and gentlemen bold. 

But not to a tale of the wonders of old ; 

Like the song of the skylark that wakens the morn. 

High hovering o'er the green vallies of corn. 

Like the snow of November, whose beautiful white 

Fills the young eyes of children with novel delight. 

So charmingly recent, and new to the ear. 

Is the song of the minstrel that now you shall hear. 



ADDRESSES. 131 

When after the lapse of its cycle of years. 
At length in the heavens a comet appears, 
Ev'ry eye turns with wonder the stranger to hail. 
Admiring his splendor and beautiful tail ; 
The stars that burn round him unnotic'd may roll. 
Alone the dread wanderer fixes the soul ; 
So when, overturaing the houses of kings. 
One man in their place like a prodigy springs. 
To him are the nations directing their gaze. 
Awaiting his mandates in fearful amaze ; 
And him does the poet behold in his dream, 
WTien his eyes roll around him in search of a theme. 

One foot on the land fix'd, and one on the sea. 
Then lord of the globe. Napoleon would be : 
The kings of the east, of the north, of the south, 
M^ould crouch to the dust as the slaves of his mouth ; 
His name would be rais'd to the stars, and the sun, 
WTiere earth on its axle had formerly spun. 
See the Buonaparte-planet encircling him run. 
But alas, oh ye doctors, though skilful are ye. 
This potsherd of earth still a potsherd must be ; 
Not yet hydrophobia your nostrums can cure. 
His dread of the water he still must endure. 
Set his foot on the ocean ? the prince of the mice 
Once mounted a frog, and was drown'd in a trice ; 
Napoleon knows better ; still rolls through his brain 
The thunder of Nelson that shook the wide main : 
From the Nile, from the Baltic it burst on his ear. 
And again from Trafalgar, tremendous to hear ; 
He trembles, he shudders, ev'n down to his toes. 
Then stamping with rage, thus his passion o'erflows : 



} 



1 3^ ADDRESSES. 

'^ I lift up my foot — it is never set down, 

" But it crushes a sceptre, or tramples a crown ; 

'^ I put forth my leg — and it stretches so wide, 

"^ A continent scarcely gives room for the stride ; 

'' Then where in the world is that king to be found, 

" Mine arm cannot reach, cannot hurl to the ground ?" 

That king is in England ! — Go gird on thy might. 

Bring forth thy slave-legions array'd for the fight. 

Thy thousands of thousands, and launch the black proers 

Of all the flotillas that crowd on thy shores ; 

Thy squadrons, fleets, navies, the whole of them bring ; 

Will they dare to encounter the great ocean-king ? 

They come not ; they dare not ! ye eagles that sweep 

Afar from your mountains to prowl on the deep. 

Return to your eyries ungorg'd with the slain ; 

From the battle yon heros aloof will remain I 

Excuse me, if now to enliven my tale, 
I beg just a glass of your good christmas ale ; 
Your health ma'm, and your's ma'm, and gentlemen round. 
And now for the French we left keeping their ground : 
Well, on Boulogne's heights let them quake as they stand. 
And *' halt !" be for ever their word of command ; 
That checks not my story, my tongue will not flag. 
So long as a cat can be found in my bag : 
This fortuneless feline whom much I condole. 
Was kitten'd at Tilsit, a genuine Pole ; 
At tlie famous convention of Tilsit, no doubt. 
You know how they cropp'd her, and then turn'd her out. 
Many notable things were at that very time 
Transacted, and nov»^ shall be dene into rhyme ; 



I 



ADDRESSES. 133 

How a stout tiger-monkey, that ventur'd afloat^ 

How he hiigg'd as his brother the bear in a boat ; 

All shiv'ring and helpless an eagle sat by. 

His pinions were shatter'd, and dimm'd was his eye,- 

With talons so broken he scarcely could sign 

The terms of the treaty they met to define. ,|- jt 

They scotch'd him of forests and fields of the air, ; 

Of movmtains and vallies, and each took a share ; 

But when with the signet that stamp'd it as law. 

Magnanimous bruin uplifting his paw. 

Gave it next to the eagle and guided his claw, ,. 

With a glance of reproach then the crown-crested bird . 

Look'd up in his face, but he spake not a word. 

What follow'd was whisper'd, but rumour stood near. 

And since hath reported the whole in mine ear ; 

They plotted to seize, or by force or by stealth, - 

The islanded ocean, its ships and its wealth : 

*' The lion of England, that o'er the domain 

" Lord paramount reigneth, O were he but slain, 

'' Then all would be done ; and, tiger-fac'd pug, 

" The world will be thine !" said the bear with a shrug. 

Then answer'd the monarch, outstretching his jaws 

So forward they needed the prop of his paws ; 

'' At the foot of the mountain of Caucasus, lo, 

" The elephant's waiting my pleasure to know ; 

" The American magpie is flapping his wings, 

" It needs but a whistle and hither he springs ; 

" But these cannot vanquish the lion we fight, 

" The one is too heavy, the other too light ; 

'^ 'Tis true our historian iEsop hath told 

'^ How the mouse freed him once from a net's tangling fold ; 

L 



J 34 ADDRESSES. 

*' A rat's a more powerful being ; and him, 

*^ I will choose as my champion, I know he can swim : 

*' To the true race of Norway, for whiskers renown'd, 

" Go carry my order to shut up the sound ; 

*^ The Hon thus hamper'd, I'll spread other toils, 

" 'Till safe I devour him, and then seize the spoils." 

He ceas'd, and now grinn'd with an horrible gape ; 

The eagle affrighted took wing to escape ; 

Whereat he gave sign to the bear to unmoor. 

Then crouch'd on his hams, and was row'd to the shore. 

But woe was their counsel, O woe to the rat ! 

Soon under the foot of the lion laid flat. 

Disarmed and crushed, this champion so fit. 

At the foe he would worry he only can spit ! 

Here, ladies and gentlemen, ends my address ; 
It reads like a preface to me, I confess ; 
O let it be follow'd by something from you. 
And with thanks for your bounty, I'll bid you adieu ! 



ADDRESS FOR 1808. 

Once more the wheels of time have roll'd the globe. 
Where winter striding trails his snowy robe 
Along our plains, and desolates the ground ; 
Yet ever as he walks his gloomy round, 
Lo, Christmas in his train, a lovely guest ! 
Comes like a bride adorned for the feast. 



ADDRESSES. 135 

Tills is the advent^ the desired time. 

When your old Newsman brings his annual rhyme ; 

When for the poet's harp he quits his horn. 

And sings th' events another year has born. 

These, as the mind reviews and counts them o'er. 

Bring into memory the days of yore. 

When life was broad awake and time was not : 

Who has not read, how when Mahomet's foot 

Had kick'd his water-pitcher on the brink. 

As Giibriel bore him upwards in a twink 

From his warm bed, and in celestial climes. 

Held conf 'rence with him ninety thousand times ; 

Then show'd him the seven heav'ns, and earth, and hell; 

That he to bed return'd him, strange to tell ! 

Ere yet that pitcher, overturn'd, could pour 

The whole of its contents upon the floor ; 

While still the bed in which the prophet slept. 

As snug and warm as when he left it kept. 

Now this was doing business with despatch ; 

And Mercury, that on his tower of watch. 

Awaits the coming of the royal mails. 

To spread the news they bring as nimbly, fails ; 

Though every hand is ply'd with quick addi'ess. 

To speed the movements of the printing press. 

As in a magic lantern's wondrous space, 
A thousand images each other chase ; 
Along the wall their mighty shadows pass. 
Each as the artist waves his figur'd glass : 
So on this precious paper I proceed 
To show the times with all convenient speed. 



1 GG ADDRESSES. 

But not as when the fatal news transpir'd^ 

For which the park and tower guns were fir'd; 

For which with color'd lamps the windows hung, 

A festive radiance on the midnight flung : 

Not with a false illusive glare I try 

To make black white before the public eye. 

Let not the servants of John Bull suppose 

'Tis at their will to lead him by the nose ; 

No, ev'ry puppet that I forward bring. 

Is fairly copied from some living thing. 

And first those puppets seated in a row, 

A court that's summon'd for inquiry show. 

I cannot give you information neAv, 

Either about Sir Harry or Sir Hew ; 

Nor whether proper generals may be had 

Enow in time to form an awkward squad ; 

And therefore chuse to state another case, 

Which may or never may have taken place : 

You're sent to use the utmost force you can 

Against your enemy, a wicked man ; 

This villain, who implacably is bent 

To murder both the sender and the sent. 

You knock him down, then seize him as your prize ; — 

Oil no, you help your mortal foe to rise. 

Lend him your arm, and see him safe at home. 

His cudgel too, that he again may come 

Another day to batter out your brains. 

If any can be found worth while his pains. 

For this strange conduct 'fore a court you're brought. 

But not to trial till 'tis knov.^n you ought ; 



ADDRESSES. 1 37 

And wiser licads than mine not yet discern. 
Which way the sleepy scales of justice turn. 
Now to a different scene direct your eyes. 
Where yonder rocky pillar seems to rise ; 
'Tis nam'd of Hercules ; and like to him 
In form, in bulk, and brawny length of limb. 
Against its base a drunken giant nods. 
Awhile deserted by his demon gods. 
Around its capital in spiral fold, 
A golden fillet winds, on which, behold. 
The sun of liberty, arising shines. 
And renders visible these magic lines : 

Now is come the fated hour ; 

Drunken with the fumes of power, 

At my foot the giant snores, 

Breathing like a bull that roars. 

He shall lie in magic swoon, 

While to lighten earth, the moon, 

Thrice with horns, and thrice without, 

M'^hecls her spiral car about. 

Ere her measured course be sped, 

Spaniards strike the tyrant dead ! 

Toss his carcass to the seas. 

Or hurl it down the Pyrenees. 

Spaniards, seize the golden hour ! 

Freedom now is in your power. 
Alas, their stroke falls short ! the partial blow. 
Severs his left arm, not his head, and lo. 
Time's golden hour expires ! the giant wakes ! 
The moon eclips'd in blood her car forsakes. 
And from the sick'ning sight in horror turns ; 
For now the tyrant mad with vengeance burns ; 



1 38 ADDRESSES. 

Howling he rlses^, from his mouth expire 
Bkie smoky clouds, and flakes of wrathful fire ; 
His howl is answer'd; who can stand the odds 
Against the giant and his demon gods. 
Rapine and riipe and murder in his train ! 
Spaniards, your gallant loyalty is vain : 
In vain to ev'ry popish saint you cry. 
No voice, or sign, or thunder, gives reply ; 
I hear the dragging chain, whose iron rings 
Already bind your princes and your kings : 
And see, ere yet the closing battle bleeds. 
In haste the British standard-flag recedes ; 
Yet every phalanx as it wheeling turns. 
Fierce with unsated indignation burns. 
And moves reluctant while it leaves behind. 
The cries of woe that follow in the wind. 

Now not to mingle, as would ill beseem, 
A lighter subject with a mournful theme, 
I pass the glorious actions of king Tom,* 
And all that else was done in Christendom, 
And from his shut-up shop I gladly turn. 
To what at present is ray grand concern. 

In the vast mass of life, a puny elf, 
A shrimp, an atom, I may deem myself; 
Yet even I have duties to fulfil. 
And there are joys that pass my cottage fill ; 
I travel weekly over hill and dale, 
A trusty messenger, that must not fail ; 
The summer melts me with its burning heat. 
With snow the winter chills my weary feet, 

• The head of the Frencli Yaxty in America, wtU known there under this appellation. 



ADDRESSES. 1 ;)9 

And many a mile behind, is Derby town. 

Ere at my journey's end I sit me down : 

Thus week by week, while twice twelve years have rolFd 

My task returning, now it finds me old. 

But not deserted : — ev'ry closing year. 

Your bounty came my homely hearth to cheer ; 

Still on your christmas gifts I must depend. 

And trust you'll prove again the Newsman's friend. 



ADDRESS FOR 1810. 

Winter, dark sleepy winter ! can thine ear 

The melody of verse be charm'd to hear ? 

Thou who dost all the warbling groves benumb. 

And bidst the pleasant water-streams lie dumb .'' 

The rolling rivers, bound in icy chains. 

In silence pass through the deserted plains ; 

And fields of ice, and mountains, choke the sound 

Of ocean heaving from his deeps profound. 

When heav'n's fair face thy gloomy vapour shrouds. 

No thunder breaks the silence of the clouds ; 

Noiseless their snow descends, a covering deep. 

Like a broad mantle on the bed of sleep ; 

Till undisturbed torpor holds her reign 

O'er the mute earth, blank sky, and frozen main. 

While to this slumber weary nature yields. 
And winter keeps the sabbath of the fields. 



J 40 ADDRESSES. 

With song I cheer the vigils of the night. 

Pursue the meteors in their changing flight. 

And watch the bright'ning atmosphere disclose 

The sun arising on the virgin snows. 

Following the shepherd, the delighted muse 

Enjoys the beauty of the mountain views 

Through the clear day ; and when the night returns. 

And the stars haste to light their golden urns. 

Her track adown the quiet vale proceeds. 

Whither his flock the gentle shepherd leads. 

How beautiful is night ! in still repose 

The sheep are couch'd beside the drifted snows ; 

In softest hue appears the mountain scene. 

In deeper blue the starry cope serene ; 

Around, so pure a white o'er all things spread. 

The very ground seems holy as we tread. 

Thus feasted with magnificence of light. 
With glories of the day and of the night. 
The muse retiring at the hour of rest. 
Lifts up her orison among the blest. 
And wakes the rapturous lay which rose to heaven. 
When Milton's song from Cowper's lips was given : 
*' These are thy glorious v/orks, thou Source of good ; 
" How dimly seen, how faintly understood ! 
'' Thine, and upheld by thy paternal care, 
" This universal frame, thus wondrous fair !" 

What dreams employ the muse ; it seems to me. 
This is the ancient land of chivalry ; 
I see a knight, like one of old romance ; 
On a white couch he lies in wondrous trance. 



ADDRESSES. 1 4 1 

And, glimmering to the moon, his glassy shield 

Beside him lies extended on the field. 

His frame, his limbs, might own a giant's strength ; 

But stiff and motionless are stretch'd at length : 

His flesh is colder than the gripe of death. 

And cold and thick returns his silent breath. 

The only sign of life, save that his eye 

At times is feebly open'd to the sky. 

A damsel weeping at his feet is seen ; 

A stole of mourning hides her dress of green ; 

For lo, the hour the charm should break is past. 

And still the stern enchantment holds him fast. 

O daughter, cease to weep, refrain those tears. 
Though lovely as the pearls the snow-drop wears ; 
Soon shall thy knight, to pristine vigor freed^ 
Remount again his heavy-tramping steed. 
Ride with the tempest through the crashing woods. 
Stem the deep tide of inundating floods ; 
Leap w ith the cataract, nor stay his force. 
Nor check the fury of his headlong course. 
Till he fulfil his promis'd boon, and bring 
Home to her beauteous isle the w^elcome spring. 

The dream and the enchantment fled, the muse. 
Awake to real life, her theme pursues. 
When, Derby, thy majestic fane, within 
Rejoicing echoed to the sacred din 
Of Handel's music, glorious was the sound : 
The starry chain of lamps that shone around, 
Charm'd less the audience, than the varying strain. 
Now loud, now soft, triumphal loud again. — ■ 



142 ADDRESSES. 

The song of Bartleman : he from his lips 

Pours the full volume of a voice that dips 

To music's deepest tones, a bass sublime. 

The song of Harrison : in softest chime. 

Its chasten'd flow regales the classic ear^ 

Like mossy fountains musically clear. 

IMore sweet Biancha's silver notes, till drown'd 

By the full choir in majesty of sound. 

When the grand chorus sang the glorious ire 

That mingled hailstones with avenging fire. 

But when the beauteous Catalani sung. 

Angelic music on a mortal's tongue 

So loudly sweetly trembled into air. 

Might nothing earthly with her voice compare. 

The seraph, charity, at whose behest 

Arose yon princely pile for the distrest. 

On their behalf rejoic'd amid the throng. 

And gave diviner pathos to the song. 

O for that voice, a requiem to sing 
O'er the beloved daughter of a king ! 
So haply might the royal mourner find 
Alleviation to his tortur'd mind ; 
And, won to listen, by the holy psalm 
Be comforted into a pious calm : 
Like Saul of old, whose evil spirit fled. 
By David's melody discomfited ; — 
Howling he went, to him gave anguish sharp 
The sweet refreshing music of the harp. 

While thus proceeding with my annual task. 
Why is my strain so serious^ do you ask ? 



ADDRESSES. 148 

Why do I slum with glee to intermix 

The themes of victory and politics ? 

Alas, how can my tongue be fram'd to mirth. 

Amidst the general gloom tliat shades the earth : 

Ev'n England's sun of glory, though not down. 

Awhile eclisp'd, in darkness leaves the crown ; 

The beast that feeds on human woe lives still. 

And Europe suffers at his cruel will ; 

How then can wit indulge a sprightly tune : 

Humour on these sad themes must prove jejune ; 

No, rather with a serious solemn brow. 

Ladies and gentlemen, to you I bow. 

And trust my gravity will not the less 

Move you to favor kindly my address ; 

Thankful for all the gifts of former times, 

I now once more present ray christmas rhymes. 



ADDRESS FOR 1811. 



Come saddle thy hy|)pogriff bold-hearted muse. 

And take up behind thee the m.an with the news. 

Away let us sally like Sadler's balloon, 

On a patriot excursion to visit the moon. 

To ask of the oracle there to be seen. 

What things shall succeed to the things that have been. 



144 ADDRESSES. 

From Derby to Sheffield my feet know the track. 

But now noble Pegasus lends me his back ; 

From the ground with a bound hke an eagle he springs. 

Like the sweep of a windmill the stroke of his wings ; 

Adieu to the steeples and tops of the trees. 

On the wing, on the gallop, we rise on the breeze ; 

Through the dew-drops and rain-drops that spangle his mane. 

Mid hailstones and snow-flakes he bears on the rein. 

Ye wild-geese that travel in figures the sky. 

Still changing the figure as higher ye fly ; 

Ye have serv'd as the mile-stones from one up to seven. 

To measure the height we have reached in heaven ; 

But now we must leave yovi, the earth is your home. 

And further ye will not adventure to roam ; 

Alone on our journe}^ henceforward we fare. 

Ascending the wild lonely regions of air. 

Now passing the uppermost strata of clouds. 

Grey evening the moon's silver crescent unshrouds. 

And oh ! what a prospect unfolds to its beams ! 

Cloud-mountains and vallies, and mist-rolling streams. 

That curl'd by the zephyrs, or darken'd with storms. 

Are changing for ever their beautiful forms. 

Here in a cloud-cavern, whose light fleecy roof 

Just halos the stars that are trembling aloof, 

A water-spout rises • here stooping his wings. 

The hyppogriff bathes in the smoke of its springs. 

Thus cool'd and refreshed, renevving his speed. 

Through ether's blue regions the broad-winged steed 

Bounds forward again. O wonderful tour ! 

We have pass'd where the flame-winged meteors scour ; 



ADDRESSES. 145 

Earth like a parhelion is (hvindled and shorn. 
Tile moon like a rainbow is rounding her horn. 
Now the tide of attraction opposing our course. 
Has set from its ebb with a contrary force ; 
With an impulse pervading the ocean of space. 
In a smooth gliding motion it draws us apace. 
Nor fails, till the griffin alighting has furl'd 
His sliadowy wings on the satellite world. 

Here, ladies and gentlemen, pray let me paus^, 
I begin to be stiff in the joints of my jaws. 
And the time that's expended in tasting your ale. 
Will none interrupt the events of my tale. 
'Tis only my bodily carcass you see, 
Ev'n now the invisible spirit may be 
Engag'd. in the moon with Apollo's express. 
To finish the news for the Christmas address. 
And not to detain you with waiting in vain. 
Attend while I open my budget again. 

'Twas a wonderful spot where we lighted on ground ; 
Trees, fountains, and flowers, yea ev'ry thing round. 
Was strange to the eye, that almost we fear'd 
A vision illusive was all that appear'd. 
That still we were wandering the fathomless void ; 
But soon reassur'd, sweet rest we enjoy 'd. 
And when a soft slumber our strength had restor'd. 
We rose and the wonderful region explor'd. 
But nothing we meet with wherever we roam. 
Can wean the affection that's fix'd upon home ; 
The fate of old England, our pati'iot concern. 
From the man in the moon we were hoping to learn ; 



146 ADDRESSES. 

And with three of the minikin pygmies as guides. 

Set out for the place where the Anak resides. 

They warn'd us by signs as we drew near the place^ 

To shun at our peril the sight of his face. 

For the powers of kmacy dwelt in his frown ; 

So beneath the rock Niger we sat ourselves down. 

And waited with patience, not opening our lips. 

Till the darkness came on of a total eclipse ; 

Earth's cloud-girdled planet seera'd sinking in blood ; 

And now in the darkness advancing, we stood 

And call'd on the man in the moon : '^ O thou ! 

That on yon darken'd sphere, with contemplative brow. 

So long hast been gazing, till deep in thy breast 

The wisdom of ages concentred doth rest, 

O hear us, and answer ! though from earth long exil'd. 

Yet remember that once she has call'd thee her child ; 

Let filial affection thy bosom absorb. 

And benignly look down on thy own native orb ; 

She is shaken with battles maintain'd in the cause 

Of humanity, freedom, religion, and laws ; 

For tyranny grasps at the world for his prey. 

And ocean and land are contesting the sway : 

But shall all the nations enslav'd lose their woi:th. 

And one, and one only, be man in the earth ? 

His ambition, if this is permitted, will soon 

Call thee his good brother the king of the moon, 

Britannia will sink, all her glories exil'd. 

And ocean shall mourn o'er his favorite child." 

At the name of Britannia we felt the moon shake ; 

For the oracle started, and answering spake : 



ADDRESSES. 147 

*' Forbid it, ye heavens ! yon ocean that rolls 
Still ebbing and flowing between the two poles. 
His might shall prevail ! lo, as this I divine, 
'Tis confirm'd in the skies with a wonderful sign : 
That comet whose splendor illumines the west. 
Presents the prince regent its feathery crest ; 
Proclaims him the sovereign that rules on the waves. 
And he and his Britons shall never be slaves." 
Here ceas'd the response, which with tremors we heard ; 
Then mounting in haste on our four-footed bird. 
Were soon out of sight ; — and, gentlemen, now, 
I am glad at your door to be making my bow, 
Return'd with good news to enliven your feast. 
Now doubly confirm'd by the news from the east. 
If the world to a quarter'd mince-pie we compare. 
Three quarters are yours, of the fourth you've a share ; 
A slice where the dollars or tokens are current. 
Would relish the best with your grateful News-errant. 



ADDRESS FOR 1812. 

Hark, 'tis the Newsman's horn that sounds ! 

Every week he winds his blast. 

But when fifty weeks are past 
And he goes his christmas rovmds. 
Then with memer glee it sounds. 



148 ADDRESSES. 

In the days of chivalry. 

When the errant knights did ride 
On adventures far and wide. 

All for love and loyalty ; 
Oft the music of the horn. 
Echoing through some forest lorn. 

Led their footsteps, till their quest 
Ended in the festive halls. 
Within some castle's gothic walls. 

Whose lord with welcome greeted ev'ry guest. 

The Frenchman's castle 

Was the Bastile ; 
But ev'ry house and cottage 
Where John Bull eats his pottage. 

He proudly looks around, and calls 

His law-defenced castle walls : 
And here, before the hospitable gates. 
Behold the Derby Newsman himibly waits. 

Ho ! Peter, Bob, or Jane, or Jackey, 
Dwarf, squire, or page, or maid, or lacquey. 
Go ask your chief to give me shelter 
From the storm's uncommon pelter 
That beats upon me helter-skelter ; 

And, if you please, a horn of ale 
Will ope my mouth, in words uncouth. 

To entertain you with a tale. 
And now I'm seated in your kitchen. 
Don't think you've let a wicked witch in, 
I'll show you I'm a sage magician. 



ADDRESSES. 149 

Who by my occult art 

Have scann'd the fate of Buonaparte : 

For with the muses' telescope 

I've seen and read his horoscope. 

And cast his dark nativity. 

And darker destiny. 

You all remember, that last year 
A mighty comet did appear ; 

Every night it rear'd its crest 

Like a giant's in the west. 
And ever seem'd to cast an angry glare 
Tow'rd the constellation of the bear ; 
Nay, so furious its splenetic ire. 
It constantly was breathing fire. 

This comet's orbit, you must know 

Is shapen like a trumpet bow ; 

Curv'd at each end, but all the middle 

Straight as the bow that sounds a fiddle ; 

When to one end the orb is shot. 

It meets a climate burning hot ; 

(For there the eccentric curve doth run 

Almost in contact with the sun.) 

But to the other end when roU'd, 

The climate proves intensely cold ; 

(For there the sun is out of sight 

And all is dark and dreary night :) 

Thus in aphelion or perhelion as it turns. 

Alternately the comet starves and burns. 

M 



150 ADDRESSES. 

Whosoever hath eyes. 

Will mark what he spies ; 

Whosoever hath ears. 

Must mind what he Iiears : 
Else, in vain I trace the lines. 
Of these astrologic signs. 

This orbit of elliptic girth, 

Is link'd to one that's drawn on earth ; 

And within this magic chain, 

A potent spirit holds his reign. 

Buonaparte ! dreadful name. 

Comet of infernal flame ! 

From his dark aphelion he 

Sprang out of obscurity. 

Rising with malignant sway. 
Onwards as he did prevail. 
Mighty armies form'd his tail. 

Spreading far its vast array. 
O'er the region of the poles 
Fierce th' imperial meteor rolls ; 
A thousand battles' funeral pyres 
Have fed its salamander fires ; 
And fire, and blood, and smoking wrack, 
Marks its desolating track. 

Tremble, city of the Czars ! 

Now is come thine evil day ; 
What avail thy guardian stars, 

To turn those fiery wheels aM'ay ? 



ADDRESSES. 151 

The Tyrant still ambitious climbs 
The high perhelion of his crimes — - 
Lo the mighty city burns ! 

Round the pyramid of flame. 
See th' imperial chariot turns. 

Returning by the way it came. 

For now a starry light has broke. 
Emerging from the clouds of smoke : 
Above the north's imperial chair, 
Tlie constellation of tJie bear 

Ascendant rises through the gloom ; 
The tyrant sees, and flies to shun his threaten'd doom. 

Flies, but his diminish'd train 
Has join'd the number of the slain. 

Or follows at the victor's heels. 
A PoAver beyond his arm's controlling. 

Now the bridled despot feels ; 
Victory, like a torrent rolling. 

Overtakes his flying wheels. 
And hark ! the Cossack's di-eadful howl ! 

Famine's icy scowl. 
Globes of hail, snow- sheeted drifts. 
Which the dizzy whirlwind lifts. 
And winter's dark and haunted night, 
With dreams of ghosts in murder'd plight, 
Wait--«-to intercept his flight. 



152 ADDRESSES. 

Here I break off the story ; 

A tale of better news 
I never laid before ye. 

Since I have walk'd in shoes. 

The fortune of tliis Nero, 
Has taken up my time. 

Else England has a hero. 
Deserves a nobler rhyme. 

But now I cannot spare it 

To any but myself j 
For if I do not share it, 

I risk my christmas pelf. 

And surely I am never 

So fill'd with fancy's pranks. 

But for my patron's gifts I'll ever 
Make room with warmest thanks. 



THE END. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

TOUR OF THE DOVE, 1 

Notes to the Tour of the Dove, 57 

Lines written for Valentine day, 81 

Lines in commemoration of a Child, 86 

Ode to Liberty, 91 

Matlock Bath, a fragment, 96 

INSCRIPTIONS. 

On a Statue removed &c, 98 

On a thunder-stricken Tree, , 100 

On a Statue, 101 

SONNETS. 

To S. T. Coleridge, Esq, 102 

To Joanna Sophia Lister, 103 

To AprU, 104 

On Easter, 105 

Composed on passing by the Cloudhill, IOC 

On the Erection of Darley Church, 107 

On the FaU of Darley Grove, 108 

NEWSMAN'S ADDRESSES. 

For the year 1802, Ill 

1803, 116 

1805, 121 

1806, 126 

1807, 130 

1808, 134 

1810, 139 

1811, 143 

1812, 147 



630 



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